Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly has approved a USD 700 mln loan from the BCIE to enhance public infrastructure resilience against natural disasters. Co-financed by the German Development Bank (KfW), the loan carries a 30-year term, a 5-year grace period, and an average interest rate of 7.65%. A second vote on February 27 will determine the final approval of the loan. This funding is part of the financial inflows that have been contributing to the real appreciation of the Costa Rican colon, impacting the competitiveness of export-oriented sectors.