This week, Costa Rica embarks on a high-level tour in Japan to seek new markets for investment, trade and technical support to build capacity in Costa Rica, said the Costa Rican Investment and Development Agency (CINDE).

“Strengthening trade ties with Japan is part of our government’s efforts to diversify our economy. This work tour involves … the promotion of investment, events with potential investors, as well as one-on-one meetings with companies already established to strengthen relations. In addition … we will … meet with government authorities … to discuss the current situation of trade and investment between Costa Rica and Japan, … and explore measures to promote increased economic relations,” explained Costa Rican Minister of Foreign Trade Alexander Mora.

The official delegation is led by Mora, together with Jorge Sequeira, CINDE general director, and the director of investment at the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Gabriela Castro.

Minister Mora said he planned to attend meetings with Kentaro Sonoura, Japan’s minister of foreign affairs, and Masaki Ogushi, parliamentary vice minister of economy, trade and industry during the tour that will last from Monday, June 19 – Friday, June 23.

Costa Rica is aiming to increase the flow of trade with Japan through increased opportunities, as well as strengthen existing business ties.

Costa Rica is currently a strategic partner for Japanese companies operating in Costa Rica such as: Bridgestone, Panasonic, MicroVention Terumo, TradeStation, Fujitsu, Toyota, among others.

Jorge Sequeira, General Director of CINDE, commented “CINDE has been working on the diversification of investment markets, and … Asia is one of our points of interest…We are promoting a series of actions aimed at positioning Costa Rica as a base for access by companies to the rest of the Americas with the establishment of high-value service and manufacturing operations.”

The Costa Rican delegation will also meet with representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Foreign Trade Organization (JITRO), said CINDE.

JICA is an organization with presence in 150 countries that assists and supports developing nations using non-reimbursable assistance and financial assistance. And JETRO is an organization dedicated  to promoting trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world.