During the next four years, the Foreign Ministry will undertake a plan to put Costa Rica back in the eyes of the cooperating countries with China as a priority axis, according to Chancellor and Vice President, Epsy Campbell, who appeared before the International Affairs Committee of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
Since 2007 when Costa Rica initiated diplomatic relations with China, aid from this country has been growing. During 2007, the construction of the National Stadium was completed by China, with an investment of $110 million. While in 2010, the Asian country participated in construction of the new Police Academy in the canton of Pococí, Limón, valued at $50 million, and delivered a donation of $8 million for the administration of Laura Chinchilla to use them in what she deemed necessary.
There has also been financial cooperation through the purchase of debt bonds several times. But now the government wants to give another approach to cooperation with China, according to the country’s new challenges.
Campbell said that this administration will create an agenda for the next ten years with this nation where the issue of cooperation will be a priority. In Asia, relations with countries such as Singapore, Korea, and Japan will also be prioritized.
Since 1990, the non-reimbursable cooperation that Costa Rica receives from rich countries and international organizations has been decreasing. This is because institutions such as the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) don’t see Costa Rica as a poor country.