Russia is willing to help Costa Rica diversify its petroleum products market, which at present is fully dependent on deliveries from the United States, Charge d’affaires of the Russian Federation, Alexey Kudachkin, told Sputnik. "The vast majority of the petroleum products — gasoline, fuel oil and diesel — Costa Rica brings in from the United States, or some 95 percent. They would like to diversify this market. They have interest to talk with Russian companies". Kudachkin pointed out Russian companies may show interest in diversifying Costa Rica’s petroleum products market rather than solely being interested in petroleum products. "The Costa Ricans know that we have big experience in building gas and oil pipelines. Maybe they will try to agree and explore our experience in this area", he said. Kudachkin noted that Costa Rica does not produce oil because the country has issued a moratorium on research and development of mineral resources. "There is no production at all. They bring oil products from abroad, and in sufficiently large number. The volume of imported products is about 4-5 billion dollars annually. This is one of the reserves", Kudachkin said. May 8 marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Costa Rica. A bilateral agreement on mutual abolition of visas comes in force on 25 May. Source URL |
