A week-long visit to Costa Rica by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) is focussing on investment possibilities, said the Ministry of Foreign Relations in s statement this week.

Fund officials from the United Arab Emirates will analyze possibilities and issue a report on Costa Rica’s viability as a recipient of investments in areas such as infrastructure and services that have an impact on the socioeconomic development of the country, said the ministry.

During their stay, they have met with authorities and technical personnel from government entities to discuss big infrastructure projects including the San Jose – San Ramón Expressway, a high-speed intercity train, and a mega water supply program in Guanacaste, among others.

“Costa Rica’s relationship with the United Arab Emirates transcends words and is made materialize with events – such as your presence today in our country. That we can have this exchange will allow us to go beyond the economic aspect and build a long-term relationship,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuel A. González upon receiving the delegation this week, adding, “Costa Rica views the United Arab Emirates as our main strategic partner in the Middle East. We also want to be that strategic partner in our region for the United Arab Emirates. We are confident that by developing a relationship of trust and an exchange of ideas, we will achieve this.”

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development delegation is made up of Adel Abdulla Al-Hosani, Director of the Operations, Tarig H. M. Hamza, Department of Operations, and Abdullah Al-Durdunji, Portfolio Manager, who, in addition to meetings in San Jose, will travel to the province of Guanacaste with tourism officials to explore possible investment in tourism projects.

Delegation leader, Al-Hosani, said that this visit comes as a result of the bilateral meeting held by the President of the Republic Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan during his official visit to the United Arab Emirates in January.

“We are here to analyze the development projects that are presented to the Fund, with a view to investment opportunities and also to infrastructure projects. This visit marks the beginning of a new cooperation relationship between the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Government of Costa Rica which I am sure will continue to grow in the years to come, and will build a strong bilateral relationship,” said Al-Hosani.

Costa Rica’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Francisco Chacón, is part of this week’s activities and said he will follow up with the Board of Directors of the Fund regarding their analysis of the viability of Costa Rica as a recipient of investments.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development is an autonomous foreign aid agency established by the United Arab Emirates in 1971. The fund provides concessionary loans to fund economic and social development projects. The fund also invests in order to expand and strengthen the private sector economies of its clients. The Fund currently works with 83 developing countries. It aims to help developing countries achieve sustainable socio-economic growth.