COSTA RICAN AIRPORTS: NO EVIDENCE OF A

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000338 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EEB/TPP/MTAA MTOLLIVER; PLEASE PASS TO USTR JGRIER AND AMALITO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAIR PREL PGOV CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICAN AIRPORTS: NO EVIDENCE OF A DISCRIMINATORY BIDDING PROCESS REF: STATE 34118 ¶1. Post confirms that there is no discernible evidence of discrimination confronting U.S. suppliers or bidders regarding airport construction projects. Currently, the GOCR is working with the Airport Development Corporation/Houston Airport Systems (ADC/HAS),an American, Canadian, and Brazilian airport operator consortium and the bidder for the management and development rights for San Jose's international airport. If successful, then the airport's management and development rights would transfer from the current operator -- Alterra -- to ADC/HAS. ¶2. The ADC/HAS consortium consists of three entities: -- A subsidiary of Houston Airport Systems (HAS) of Houston, Texas (for finance, operations, and development); -- Airport Development Corporation (ADC) Management of Toronto, Canada (for management); and -- Andrade Gutierrez Concesiones of Belo Horizonte, Brazil (for concession management/construction). ¶3. In addition to the bid for San Jose's international airport, ADC/HAS won the rights for the management and development of Costa Rica's only other international airport located in Liberia, a gateway to popular resort destinations in northwest Costa Rica. ¶4. If the ADC/HAS bid fails, Post will report on any possibility of discriminatory practices on the part of the GOCR. CIANCHETTE