Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that the President of Costa Rica, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Echeverría, will make a working visit to Ottawa, April 22-23, to sign a free trade agreement between Canada and Costa Rica.

"This agreement will improve our trade and political ties with one of Central America’s most rapidly growing economies, said the Prime Minister. "It will increase market access in both countries, and provide a model of bridging the gap between larger and smaller economies in our hemisphere."

Canada’s trade with Costa Rica has increased an average of six percent over the last five years. The free trade agreement is expected to accelerate this growth.

President Rodríguez will travel to Ottawa from Québec City, where he is attending the Summit of the Americas, hosted by the Prime Minister.

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