Date and Time
Friday, September 13, 2024
12–1:30 p.m. MST
Location
CBRE, 4th Floor, 222 S Main St.
Salt Lake City
Pura potential
Costa Rica is widely known for lush rainforests, serene beaches, and booming biodiversity — but did you know that its business opportunities are as abundant as the natural wonders? We had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Catalina Crespo-Sancho, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States, at CBRE for a business lunch with Utah business leaders to discuss trade opportunities in Costa Rica.
"My job in coming to Utah is not only to represent Costa Rica, but to find opportunities that can be good for both," said Crespo-Sancho. "We share quite a few values!"
In her remarks, the ambassador also highlighted how strong institutions are key to Costa Rica’s stability, which lead to its educated workforce, strengths in medical manufacturing, rapid infrastructure development, advancements in technology, and thriving tourism industry. She also emphasized Costa Rica's significant trade advantages for Utah companies, including safety in times of conflict, a commitment to sustainability, proximity to the U.S., and its appeal as a beautiful place to visit.
This event was hosted in partnership with the UVU Office for Global Engagement, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, the Salt Lake Chamber, and CBRE.
Learn about Costa Rica’s key industries
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Costa Rican consumers have a strong preference for many U.S. food and beverage products, a trust that has grown since the 2009 implementation of the CAFTA-DR. The close proximity to the United States provides a major advantage, allowing for faster shipping times and better customer relationship management. In 2022, U.S. agricultural and related product exports to Costa Rica hit a record high of $1 billion, showcasing the increasing demand and success of these products in the market.
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With the U.S. being Costa Rica's top trading partner, medical devices alone account for over $293 million USD in two-way trade. As Costa Rica aims to become a medical tourism hub, there is a growing demand for reliable and trusted medical equipment, especially in orthopedics, ophthalmology, dermatology, and surgical procedures.
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The Chaves Administration, in collaboration with the Central America Bank of Economic Integration (CABEI), recently announced the “Ciudad Gobierno” project. This initiative aims to consolidate government offices, reducing operational costs and creating new opportunities for U.S. businesses, particularly in the infrastructure sector. The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Costa Rica is actively working to form a U.S. consortium to participate in this project.
Dr. Catalina Crespo-Sancho, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States
Dr. Catalina Crespo-Sancho is the Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States and a human rights specialist with over 20 years of experience in international development. In 2018, she was elected by the Costa Rican Congress as Head of the National Human Rights Institution and later served as President of the Central American and Caribbean Council of National Institutions of Human Rights (2019-2020), addressing the migration crisis regionally. She previously worked at the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank on development issues in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, co-authoring the UN/World Bank report "Pathways for Peace." Dr. Crespo-Sancho has also taught at Columbia University and the University of Georgia, focusing on immigration, gender, and education. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology of Education from SUNY Buffalo, an MA in International Education from Framingham State University, and a BA in Psychology from Universidad de Monterrey.
Crossroads of the World
Join us as we bring together global influencers at our in-person roundtable discussions with top government and business leaders from around the world. Be a part of meaningful conversations and make valuable connections that will expand your perspective and knowledge of the global marketplace. These roundtables are designed for the ambitious and forward-thinking individual who wants to stay ahead of the curve in the world of international trade.
