The Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT), with the support of the Presidency of the Republic has completed the acquisition of 10 hectares of land and the financing of U.S. $ 20 million to build the first National Convention Center.

The agreement between the ICT and Programa Integral de Mercadeo Agropecuario (PIMA), gives to the Costa Rica Tourist Board the full possession and management of 10 hectares of land to build this site. This agreement was signed by Minister of Tourism, Allan Flores, Minister of Agriculture, Gloria Abraham and Minister of the Presidency, Carlos Ricardo Benavides.

"The new convention center will bring growth to national tourism and allow us to compete for a share of profitable market of conferences, conventions and fairs in the world" said Minister Allan Flores.

The ICT will tender in the coming months the hiring of the construction plans. The tender for construction will be promoted in early 2012 with the goal of opening the building in 2014.