Costa Rica facts: Germany seeks to strengthen cooperation between both countries

The German Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, Dirk Niebel, will visit Costa Rica next Wednesday until Friday, for a meeting with local authorities to talk about improving cooperation in different areas such as renewable energy, and commercial trading. Visitors are also interested in topics related to the Costa Rica tourism, and the increasing number of German tourists who come to the country every year, especially for eco vacations, and adventure tours.

According to Ernst Martens, German Ambassador in Costa Rica, the visit of the Minister seeks to "strengthen the successful cooperation between Germany and Costa Rica for decades." The most interesting areas of cooperation for the European country are renewable energy, environmental protection, climate changes mitigation, and energy efficiency.

The German Minister will be accompanied by a delegation of 27 people, including government experts in cooperation and some entrepreneurs interested in renewable energy and tourism. In 2010, the country received approximately 50,000 German tourists, which prefer sunny destinations, 4 or 5 star hotels, hidden beaches to rest, rainforest tours and some travel packages including surfing tours, and scuba, among others exciting trips.

Accompanying the Minister is representatives of German companies such as Zartmann Travel Solution, HEAG Südhessische Energie AG, NOTUS Energy Plan GmbH & Co. KG, and GmbH Chemettal. Niebel will have private activities, a visit to the Central Valley Salitral Eolian Park, built with German cooperation, and important meetings including President of the Costa Rica Government Laura Chinchilla, Environment Minister René Castro, and Foreign Minister Enrique Castillo.

Germany is the main trading partner of Costa Rica in the European Union. Bilateral business reached 382 million dollars in 2010, according to the Ambassador, who also mentioned other objectives for cooperation such as rural development, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism, an important area for a country which bases its economy precisely in its great natural wonders, and renewable resources.