Business and Economics
The government has implemented a seven year plan for economic expansion. The goal is to increase investment of high-tech industries by offering incentives like tax exemptions. Proctor and Gamble and Intel are two companies that have already taken advantage of this potential. Trade with South-East Asia and Russia has increased and the country is expected to join APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum).
“Last year, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency World Fact Book ranked Costa Rica as one of the five countries that stand ‘head and shoulders above all other nations worldwide in terms of the potential their real estate markets present property investors.’”
GDP/ PPP: US $8.77 billion (estimated in 2006)
GDP per capita: US $12,500
GDP percent by sector: Services 62.4%, Industry 28.9%, Agriculture 8.7%
Inflation rate: 11.5%, second only to Venezuela for inflation rates in all of Latin America.
Labour Force: 1.874 million excluding Nicaraguan immigrants
Unemployment Rate: 6.6% (2006)
Agriculture: Products include bananas, pineapple, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes, beef, and timber.
Industries: Microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, and plastic products.
Exports: Totalled $8.238 billion in 2006
Imports: Totalled $10.84 billion in 2006
Tourism: An annual 1.7 billion dollar industry employing 10% of the labour force. In 2006 visitors increased by 19% and 35% more flights are scheduled to arrive in Costa Rica for the 2007/08 high season.
