Costa Rica joins digital trade pact founded by S’pore, NZ and Chile

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 18, 2026

Costa Rica has officially joined the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), becoming its fifth member after completing negotiations and legal procedures. This accession strengthens digital trade cooperation among member countries and expands opportunities for businesses, particularly in Latin America, to engage in cross-border digital commerce under high-standard frameworks.

Costa Rica has become the fifth member of the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), an international trade pact initially established by Singapore, New Zealand, and Chile. The agreement, which came into effect in January 2021, sets out comprehensive rules and frameworks to facilitate digital trade and economic cooperation, focusing on areas such as digital identities, cross-border data flows, and the use of artificial intelligence. DEPA aims to support businesses, particularly smaller enterprises, in engaging more effectively in digital commerce.

The formal accession of Costa Rica to DEPA was marked at the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand, where the country was presented with the Instrument of Accession. This development follows the successful conclusion of negotiations in January 2022 and the completion of required legal procedures. Costa Rica’s inclusion is seen as a significant milestone, highlighting the growing global interest in establishing high-quality digital trade standards.

In a joint statement released on September 17, current DEPA members described Costa Rica’s accession as evidence of the agreement’s open and inclusive nature. They noted that expanding the membership to include Costa Rica would enhance collaboration opportunities and strengthen initiatives within the digital economy.

Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Grace Fu, expressed optimism about the development, emphasizing Singapore’s commitment to maintaining DEPA as an inclusive platform that meets rigorous standards. She underscored the potential for deeper digital economic cooperation between Singapore and Costa Rica.

Costa Rica’s Minister for Foreign Trade, Indiana Trejos, said her country aims to actively contribute to the partnership, focusing on strengthening digital trade and fostering sustainable economic growth. “Together, we aim to ensure that our businesses are well positioned to seize the opportunities created by the digital transformation, while fostering sustainable economic growth and creating new opportunities for businesses and our people,” she stated.

The accession was also welcomed by officials from other member countries. Chile’s Undersecretary for International Economic Relations, Pauls Estevez, highlighted the significance of another Latin American country joining DEPA, noting it offers a valuable opportunity to enhance digital integration within the region and generate new prospects for businesses and entrepreneurs. New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and South Korea’s Trade Minister Park Jung-sung also expressed positive views on Costa Rica’s membership.

Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore originally signed the agreement in June 2020, with South Korea becoming the fourth signatory in May 2024. Costa Rica officially submitted its application to join DEPA on December 23, 2022, completing the process that led to its recent accession.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.