Editing Economy of Costa Rica (section)

==Other challenges==
A 2016 report by the U.S. government report identifies other challenges facing Costa Rica as it works to expand its economy by working with potential foreign investors:<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://2016.export.gov/costarica/doingbusinessincostarica/index.asp|title=Export.gov – CCG|last=ITA|website=2016.export.gov|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418225120/http://2016.export.gov/costarica/doingbusinessincostarica/index.asp|archive-date=18 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* The ports, roads, water systems would benefit from major upgrading. Attempts by China to invest in upgrading such aspects were "stalled by bureaucratic and legal concerns".
* The bureaucracy is "often slow and cumbersome".
* The country needs even more workers who are fluent in English and languages such as Portuguese, Mandarin and French. It would also benefit from more graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs.
* Some sectors are controlled by a state monopoly which excludes competition but in other respects, "Costa Rican laws, regulations and practices are generally transparent and foster competition".
* The country has been slow in completing environmental impact assessments which have caused delays in projects being completed.
* Product registration is a slow process, although this may improve with digitization.
* In spite of government attempts at improving the enforcement of intellectual property laws, this aspect remains a concern.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2017/wha/270058.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630110732/https://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2017/wha/270058.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 June 2017|title=Costa Rica|website=state.gov|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>