This week the governments of Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates formally signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement on Trade and Investment (CEPA).
The text was negotiated in four rounds between August and November of last year, and by January of this year the agreement between ministers was concluded.
During Wednesday's meeting, President Rodrigo Chaves highlighted the opportunity represented by the rapprochement with the Emirates, and noted that the country is prepared to become a key partner in expanding the Arab country's presence in the Americas.