Published on Wednesday, July 2, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Jessica Morden, the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Central America, made her first official visit to Costa Rica recently, aiming to strengthen bilateral trade relations, promote commercial interests, and underscore the UK's global leadership in climate resilience and sustainable finance, announced the British Embassy.

Morden, a Labour Party Member of Parliament for Newport East since 2005 and former General Secretary of Welsh Labour (1999–2005), emphasized the UK’s focus on economic growth during her trip.

"This visit offers me a valuable opportunity to further strengthen our extensive trade and investment ties, and to engage with many of you who are so passionate about the opportunities to boost bilateral prosperity," said Morden. "The UK Government’s number one mission is clear: economic growth. Our new industrial and trade strategy reflects this priority, grounded in long-term stability, a renewed commitment to free and fair trade, and a pro-business approach."

During her visit, Morden held meetings with senior government officials, business leaders, and representatives from British firms to identify new opportunities for trade and investment, according to a statement from the British Embassy.

A key item on her agenda was a meeting with Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, where she reaffirmed the UK's support for Costa Rica’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The UK officially joined the CPTPP in December 2024.

Morden also met with executives from British companies operating in Costa Rica to gain insight into the local investment environment and discuss potential areas for growth. A session with the British-Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce provided further perspective on how the Chamber supports UK business interests in the country, the embassy noted.

As part of her tour, she visited the local operations of UK-based firms Smith & Nephew and AstraZeneca to discuss how the Department for Business and Trade can continue to support their expansion in the region.

She concluded her visit with a stop at Country Day School, part of the UK-headquartered Nord Anglia Education group, highlighting the UK's ongoing commitment to promoting British educational standards abroad.

The UK’s Trade Envoy Program is a network of parliamentarians who support the government's global economic agenda by promoting international trade and investment.

"They play a crucial role in supporting the Department for Business and Trade’s growth priorities, particularly in delivering industrial and trade strategies and attracting foreign direct investment to every region in the UK," the embassy stated.

In related events, Edward Roberts has been appointed as the new UK Ambassador to Costa Rica and non-resident Ambassador to Nicaragua, the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office announced in January. 

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