Costa Rica

FOOTBALL IN COSTA RICA Hopes among Costa Rican fans are higher than ever. This is because the national team arrives at its second World Cup after winning seven out of ten games qualifying and losing only once. Costa Rica’s greatest strength is its offensive line-up. Strikers Ronaldo Fonseca and Manchester City’s Paulo Wanchope led the team to top the scoring category during the qualifying round. However, the fans favourite and main inspirational figure continues to be Heran Medford, who played a key role in Italy 90’ to get the “Ticos” beyond the first round. STATE OF THE ECONOMY Costa Rica’s economy depends basically on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Over the last decade Costa Rica has progressed in opening up the trade system, diversifying exports and improved development indicators, including poverty reduction and education. Political stability and relatively high educational levels makes Costa Rica a good destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). Nevertheless, there remain significant challenges in terms of fiscal adjustment and structural reforms, particularly in the modernisation of the electricity and telecom sectors. The global slowdown in 2000 contributed to a deceleration in real GDP growth which dropped sharply in 2000 and 2001 to 1.5% and 0.5% respectively, from 8.4% in 1999. Lower growth has widened the public sector’s fiscal deficit and worsened debt ratios. While a recovery in global demand should help, Costa Rica will likely only grow modestly in 2002. This is partly because the lack of support for structural reforms, in a change-of-administration year, is likely to deter private domestic investment and FDI. STATE OF THE NATION According to CIA reports, Costa Rica is a story of stability and peace compared to its Central America neighbours. Since the late 19th century, only brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Costa Rica is a presidential republic composed of seven provinces. The executive branch is composed of the president, two vice-presidents and a council of government, integrated by 17 ministers. The legislative branch is vested in the national assembly, a unicameral body composed of 57 members. Legislators may be re-elected after a four-year term for one additional term the president may not. There are over a dozen political parties in Costa Rica but only the National Liberation Party and the Social Christian Unity Party two have occupied the presidency since 1949. THE 2002 WORLD CUP Costa Rica qualified to the World cup finishing first in the CONCACAF region, ahead of Mexico and the United States. Not being a football powerhouse, Costa Rican fans are likely to be satisfied by matching the performance of Italy 90, its only other World Cup appearance. Back then, the “Ticos”, as Costa Rica nationals are known, made it to the second round after finishing second in their group, belowBrazil, by defeating Scotland and Sweden. Once again, Costa Rica (27th in FIFA’s rankings) shares its group with favourite Brazil (2), so its best shot to advance to the second round is to defeat China (51) and at least drawwith Turkey (24). Previous Appearances: 1 1990