Private Sector Opportunities for Investment Soaring in Costa Rica

According to the Technical Secretary of the National Concessions Council of Costa Rica, they are performing legal restatements in an effort to encourage infrastructure projects and investments throughout various areas, including public private partnership. Private firms in America are now recognizing a broad slate of opportunities in Costa Rica. The country currently has a vast array of needs in terms of infrastructure. Public private participation within the construction of buildings could help to resolve criticism of the government while simultaneously helping to fund the infrastructure needed to continue moving the country forward. Under such a plan, it has been suggested that the state could make periodic payments and then over the course of a 25-year terms, the buildings would then belong to state, as opposed to the government spending money on renting public offices.

Another critical area involves the country's water and sewage system. While Costa Rica has made significant environmental strides, serious problems remain in water treatment. This is area where the United States, which has tremendous experience, could potentially take advantage of opportunities in potable water services and aqueducts.

Transportation is currently one of the most vital areas of need in the country. While Costa Rica has continued to attract visitors and transplants from North America, the highway system remains in need of serious investment. Such infrastructure is vital in order for the country to continue to compete as a global attraction.

Other areas of opportunities exist in the construction of prisons. At one time, Costa Rica attempted private participation for the construction of prisons due to the issue of overpopulation. Private participation could also help to assist in improving this area.

The same is also true for the construction of hospitals and schools. Currently, these are areas that have proven to be high cost and are difficult for the Costa Rican government to take on based on available resources. The National Concessions Council has proven to be essential in promoting investment in the country, in light of the fact that Costa Rica currently does not have a sufficient amount of resources for investing in infrastructure. Estimates in 2010 indicated that the country would need approximately $60 billion over the course of the next decade. This leaves ample room for participation from the private sector, including companies in the United States that are interested in taking advantage of those opportunities.