On the occasion of the visit by the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade of the United States of America to the Republic of Costa Rica on October 15-16, 2002, the United States Department of Commerce and the Costa Rica Ministry of Foreign Trade ("the Participants") issue this Joint Statement which is intended to provide a general framework to guide commercial cooperation between the United States of America and the Republic of Costa Rica.

The Participants:

· Recognizing the close trade and economic relations between the two countries;

· Reaffirming the importance of cooperation to the development of commercial relations between them;

· Emphasizing the significance of expanding the flow of trade and investments, as well as improving overall economic and business relations between the two countries;

· Desiring to eliminate obstacles to bilateral commercial relations:

Have reached an understanding that the following framework should guide their cooperation, as appropriate, subject to the laws and regulations of the Participants and contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds.

The Participants should strive to:

I. Organize an exchange of information on, and seek ways to expand and link, as appropriate, databases pertaining to commercial opportunities in each country;

II. Support the exchange of information on electronic commerce, technical standards, small business development, and manufacturing quality improvement.

III. Exchange information on major infrastructure projects in Costa Rica and U.S. technological capabilities to support such projects;

IV. Facilitate trade missions to Costa Rica and the United States;

V. Support increased tourist flows between Costa Rica and the United States; and

VI. Consider the development of any other cooperative programs and activities that may contribute to the mutually beneficial economic growth and development of the Participants.

To accomplish the objectives referred to above, the Department of Commerce of the United States and the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica hereby agree to establish an ad-hoc working group on cooperation initiatives. The working group shall be comprised of representatives of both institutions and will be asked to develop a Work Plan identifying concrete cooperation initiatives that could contribute to reach the endeavors included in this Joint Statement. The working group shall submit the Work Plan for consideration of the Department of Commerce of the United States and the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica no later than at the end of January 2003.

Signed in San Jose, Costa Rica, in duplicate, on the 16th day of October, 2002 in the English and Spanish languages.