Mariano Rajoy receives President of Costa Rica at Moncloa Palace

President's News - 2017.5.8

The President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, received the President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís, at Moncloa Palace, within the framework of his first official visit to Spain. The President of Costa Rica was accompanied by his Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Economy, Foreign Trade and Tourism. During the course of their meeting, the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and addressed issues on the Ibero-American and international agendas.

1. Images of the meeting between the President of the Government and the President of Costa Rica | Pool Moncloa/Marcos Martín - 2017.5.8

01:38 1. Images of the meeting between the President of the Government and the President of...

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

Within the framework of his visit to Spain, President Solís was also received by H.M. the King, who subsequently offered a lunch in his honour at the Royal Palace. The President of Costa Rica will also hold a meeting with the Mayor of Madrid. During the visit, which has a marked economic content, the President of Costa Rica will also take part in various business events.

Economic relations between the two countries are very good, as evidenced by the growth in bilateral trade each year (up to 405 million euros, almost 12% more than the previous year), and the absence of serious trade controversies. Costa Rica is ranked 90th in terms of international customers, with over 180 million euros worth of exports; while our imports stand at around 220 million euros per annum.

From an investment point of view, Costa Rica is ranked 45th in terms of Spanish investment. Spanish companies have a growing interest in the country, with investment stock in 2014 amounting to 716 million euros. Noteworthy interest has been shown by Spanish companies in transport, telecommunications, energy, engineering and construction, environmental and petrochemical projects. Costa Rica is the 56th ranked international investor in Spain, with investment stock of 84 million euros in 2014.