Costa Rica: Biotrade is a priority

CAF signed a non-reimbursable technical cooperation agreement with the Central American country to develop national capacity in science and technology and promote the conservation of biodiversity and innovation of products with comparative advantages on the globalized market.

As a sample of the efforts of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) in favor of the sustainable development of the Latin American region, President & CEO Enrique García signed a non-reimbursable technical cooperation agreement for US$20,000 in favor of the Costa Rican National Biodiversity Institute (INBio) represented by its executive director Alfio Piva Mesén.

The funds will be used for execution of the project Initial phase for the establishment of a National Biotrade Program in Costa Rica with the objective of establishing the conceptual framework of Biotrade for Costa Rica, proposing a structure for the execution of the program and defining the pilot projects, based on a preliminary evaluation study, which will mark its start-up. The program aims to contribute to reducing poverty in the areas richest in biodiversity by creating jobs through support for business ventures.

Enrique García said the agreement was part of the actions that CAF was taking through BioCAF. "The main objective of this program, executed by the Environment Unit, is to support the development of markets derived from exploitation of biodiversity through good environmental and social practices."

Costa Rica among the most biodiverse countries of the planet. The agreement support the efforts of a country which, with an area of only 51,000 km2 (0.03% of the world’s land area) and 589,000 km2 of territorial waters, is considered to be one of the world’s 20 most biodiverse countries. Its geographical position, two coasts and mountain system, which offer varied microclimates, are some of the reasons for its natural wealth in species and ecosystems. The over 500,000 species found in this small territory represent about 4% of the estimated world total.

Costa Rica has decades of experience in its efforts to save, research and make sustainable use of biodiversity and has received deserved international recognition. Examples of these efforts are a system of protected areas, development of ecotourism, mechanisms for payment of environmental services, and the scientific knowledge on biological wealth generated by innovative inventory methods.

For INBio, the establishment of a National Biotrade Program in Costa Rica is a strategic measure given the need to coordinate the initiatives being introduced into the country in the environment and trade areas. To stimulate the development of a national biotrade program in Costa Rica, the government designated the National Biotrade Institute (INBio) as the technical focal point of the BIOTRADE Initiative, acting basically as facilitator and not as program execution agency.

INBio is a center for research and biodiversity management established in 1989 to support efforts to carry out research into the country’s biodiversity and promote sustainable use. The institute works under the premise that the best way to conserve biodiversity is to exploit the opportunities that it offers to improve the quality of life of human beings.