Google, the most popular Web search engine, is eyeing Costa Rica as a possible location for what would be the company's seventh Latin American site.

Earlier this month, Daniel Gertsacov, the head of new markets for Google in Latin America, visited Costa Rica to meet with government officials, advertising agencies and representatives of the tourism sector to discuss and appraise the country's capacity for online advertising. Gertsacov said Google is analyzing the possibility of opening a new office in Latin America, and that Costa Rica, Panama and Puerto Rico are considered as potential sites for the Internet search giant.

“We are looking to approach new markets to reveal some important tools that we have indentified that businesses are still unaware of,” Gertsacov wrote in a statement to The Tico Times. “More than 90 percent of Google's income comes from online advertising that is conducted in the search engine. We want to promote this in the region and assist companies to know the benefits of online publicity and see the Internet as an ally to conduct business.”

Gertsacov said the creation of a Google office in the region would allow a representative of the company to act as a Google “ambassador” to ensure that the company was communicating and working with companies that could benefit from the services offered. Currently, Google has Latin American locations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and will soon open offices in Peru. According to Gertsacov, Google is drawn to Costa Rica due to its stable economy and the presence of several multinational companies here.

The new destination for Google is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.