Lula Says He Will Convince Brazilian Businesses Of Costa Rica's Potential

Brazil's former president, Lula da Silva, arrived in Costa Rica on Tuesday for a short visit, meeting with presidenta Laura Chinchilla, with the two touching topics such as trade and investment.

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meets with Costa Rica's President Laura Chinchilla at the presidential house in San José on Tuesday.

Lula said that he will "convince" Brazilian businesses on the potential of Costa Rica.

In brief remarks to reporters after meeting with Chinhilla, Lula said that "there is space and market in Brazil for a country like Costa Rica" and aims to "convince the Brazilian businessmen to know the potential" of this Central American country.

To achieve this, he said, requires more cooperation from the authorities of both countries and "more dynamics between government ministers," he said.

Lula is in San José invited by the Brazilian construction company OAS Ltda, that is expecting to be awarded a contract worth us$52.5 million dollars to build a road in the northern part of the country.

The former Brazilian president explained that the economic crisis that began in 2008, "requires countries to reflect" and, in the case of Latin America, lamented that "the problem is that we have never raised ourselves to our potential".

Lula will address a private conference today on the "Integrating social and economic development of Latin America".

After today's meeting between Lula and Chinchilla, Costa Rica's presidenta will hold a private dinner in Lula's honour.

Tomorrow, Thursday, Lula will have a breakfast meeting with former president Oscar Arias (2006-2010) in his private residence.

Lula visited Costa Rica when he was president of Brazil and this is his first trip to the Central American country since he left office.