ta Rican Confederation of
Democratic Workers (CCTD), Liberation Party affiliate; Confederated
Union of Workers (CUT), Communist Party affiliate; Authentic
Confederation of Democratic Workers (CATD), Communist Party
affiliate; Chamber of Coffee Growers; National Association for
Economic Development (ANFE); Free Costa Rica Movement (MCRL),
rightwing militants; National Association of Educators (ANDE);
Federation of Public Service Workers (FTSP)

International organization participation: AG (observer), BCIE,
CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,
LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia PICADO
chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795
consulate(s) general: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Durham,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia,
San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Austin

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Jon DE VOS
embassy: Pavas Road, San Jose
mailing address: APO AA 34020
telephone: [506] 220-3939
FAX: [506] 220-2305

Flag: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double
width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on
the hoist side of the red band

Economy
-------

Economic overview: Costa Rica's basically stable and progressive
economy depends especially on tourism and the export of bananas,
coffee, and other agricultural products. Recent trends have been
disappointing. Economic growth slipped from 4.3% in 1994 to 2.5% in
1995, the lowest rate of growth since 1991's 2.1%. Inflation rose
dramatically to 22.5% from 13.5% in 1994, well above the
government's own projection of 18%. Unemployment rose from 4.0% in
1994 to 5.2% in 1995, and substantial underemployment continues.
These economic woes are likely to be exacerbated in 1996 by a
standby arrangement reached with the IMF on 29 November 1995. To
restore fiscal balance, the government agreed to curb inflation,
reduce the fiscal deficit, increase domestic savings, and improve
public sector efficiency while increasing the role of the private
se