Sol Property Group Real Estate Blog (Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua, Panama)

Morning Sounds in Las Villas de San Buenas, Costa Rica

Nick Halverson — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:40:00 GMT

Every morning is a bit different in Las Villas de San Buenas, but one thing that is constant is the wonderful wildlife. Whether it's toucans or howler monkeys or parakeets, the sounds are beautiful and wonderful to listen to each morning.

Here's the link to the video: http://youtu.be/VIPEpe2KU-s

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Canada and Costa Rica Start Young Professional Exchange Program

Nick Halverson — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:32:00 GMT

By Chrissie Long
Tico Times Staff | clong@ticotimes.net
Original: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_08/083010.htm#story1

Young Ticos will soon have the opportunity to work on Canada's famous ski slopes, study in the best Canadian universities or travel through the northern nation's national parks, thanks to an agreement signed by the two countries' foreign ministers on Friday.The agreement overrides immigration requirements for a one-year period so that Ticos and Canadians between 18 and 35 years of age can participate in an exchange program.

Canada has similar programs with Chile, France, Poland, Sweden, Australia and the United Kingdom, among other nations.

“This is an opportunity to build people-to-people ties,” said Peter Van Loan, Canada's minister of international trade, who was in San José for the signing of the agreement. “It allows young people the chance to work, to play, to travel in a foreign country.”

Costa Rican Foreign Minister René Castro praised the program for creating a platform for cultural exchange and said it has the potential to bring Costa Rica closer to its goal of joining the nations of the developed world.

“It's a pleasure to work to open doors for youth,” he said. “We hope that hundreds – maybe thousands – will benefit from a program that opens borders and opportunities for young people through a cultural exchange and mutual learning.”

The two countries still have to agree on a quota for how many people from each country can take advantage of the opportunity.

According to Castro, both governments are in the process of gauging their citizens' interest in participating in the program.

Canada and Costa Rica To Start Young Professional Exchange Program

Nick Halverson — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:32:00 GMT

By Chrissie Long
Tico Times Staff | clong@ticotimes.net
Original: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_08/083010.htm#story1

Canada has similar programs with Chile, France, Poland, Sweden, Australia and the United Kingdom, among other nations.

The two countries still have to agree on a quota for how many people from each country can take advantage of the opportunity.

According to Castro, both governments are in the process of gauging their citizens' interest in participating in the program.

Frontier Airlines to fly direct: Liberia, Costa Rica & Denver, Colorado

Nick Halverson — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:39:00 GMT

By Adam Williams
Tico Times Staff | awilliams@ticotimes.net

Beginning in February 2011, Frontier Airlines will begin offering a new route from Denver, Colorado, to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, capital of the northwest Costa Rican province of Guanacaste. Frontier has offered direct flights between Denver and Juan Santamaría International Airport outside San José since 2007.

The Frontier flight will leave from Denver at 8:25 a.m. Sunday mornings, arriving in Liberia at 2:35 p.m. The return flight will leave Liberia at 3:25 p.m., arriving in Denver at 8:10 p.m. The new flight will be offered only on Sundays.

Increasing the number of international flights to and from Costa Rica is one of the key goals of Tourism Minister Carlos Benavides.

“The promotion of new airline carriers and routes is a very important push during this administration,” Benavides told The Tico Times in April. “It will be important to try to establish new routes to new markets, and we are looking to promote more destinations for tourists from the U.S. and Canada.”

Daniel Oduber International Airport is increasingly becoming a prime portal for tourists. The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) reported in April that over 50,000 travelers touched down in Liberia during the first two months of 2010, an increase of more than 24 percent over the same months in 2009. Liberia is about a 45-minute drive from the Pacific coast.

Tennis Greats to Swing Into Action in Costa Rica

Nick Halverson — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:32:00 GMT

Original: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_08/081010.htm#story4

By Adam Williams
Tico Times Staff | awilliams@ticotimes.net

Tennis legends Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras are scheduled to face off Sept. 4 in Alajuela, northwest of San José, as part of the Andre Agassi Farewell Tour, which kicked off May 22 in Puerto Rico. The tour, which stops in seven Latin American countries, will raise money for international education charities, according to tour organizers.

Pete & Andre will play against each other Sept 4, 2010, in Costa Rica

Agassi and Sampras, who won a combined 22 Grand Slam titles in the '90s and early '00s, will play a three-set match at Alajuela's Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium, which will be fitted with a synthetic-surface tennis court for the event. Women players Anna Kournikova and Ashley Harkleroad are also scheduled to play in a doubles match as part of the tour.

Agassi, who won eight Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal for the United States in 1996, retired in 2006 after a 20-year professional career. Sampras, also from the U.S., won 14 Grand Slam titles in a 15-year career that ended in 2003. Sampras held the record for the most Grand Slam titles won until 2009, when the Swiss Roger Federer eclipsed that mark. Both Sampras and Agassi were ranked as the world's top player during their careers.

The women's match will feature Kournikova and Harkleroad as doubles partners against an unnamed duo. Both are known more for their extracurricular activities than their brief professional careers. Kournikova, who twice won the Australian Open doubles title with partner Martina Hingis, received more media attention for her relationship with pop singer Enrique Iglesias and her appearance in several men's magazines, including the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition in 2004, than for her tennis. Harkleroad, who is still playing professionally – though sparingly – is best known for posing nude for the August 2008 edition of Playboy magazine. Harkleroad was the first professional tennis player to appear in the magazine.

Nicaraguan exports up 32.6 percent in 2010

Nick Halverson — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:07:00 GMT

http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_08/080410.htm#story5

MANAGUA, Nicaragua –The Nicaraguan government's Export Processing Center (CETREX) reported that the value of Nicaragua's exports increased by 32.6 percent in the first seven months of 2010 in relation with the same period last year.

Nicaragua's foreign sales from January to July of this year totaled $1.16 billion, compared with 871.8 million registered in the same period in 2009, CETREX said in a preliminary report.

In addition, the agency reported a 25 percent increase in export volume during the first seven months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

The volume of exports totaled 1,064,227.5 metric tons between January and July of this year, while during the same period of 2009 they were 850,680.7 metric tons, the center said.

CETREX noted that the increase in cultivated land and the rise in international prices of some traditional products such as sugar cane, gold, coffee, beef and petroleum derivatives are responsible for export growth in the first seven months of the year.

Nicaragua's foreign sales during 2009 amounted to $1.4 million, 6.39 percent less than that recorded in 2008, when export sales reached $1.5 billion, according to official figures.

The institution explained that the United States remains the main destination of Nicaraguan exports, followed by Venezuela, which pushed El Salvador to third place.

Combined, the three countries buy more than half of Nicaraguan products.

CETREX said coffee beans continue to be Nicaragua's main export product, followed by beef.

Coffee beans produced foreign exchange earnings of $261.3 million between January and July of this year, 55 percent more than the $168.3 million recorded for the same period in 2009, due to increased production and better prices.

Beef exports totaled $168.2 million in sales abroad in the first seven months of this year, versus the $124.8 million sold during the same period of 2009, for a 35 percent increase.

For 2010, Nicaragua expects an economic growth rate of between 2.6 and 3.1 percent with an inflation rate of between 5 and 7 percent.

The Central American country had a decrease of gross domestic product in 2009 of 1.5 percent and an inflation rate of 0.93 percent, according to official figures.

Costa Rica Housing Expo Starts on Wednesday

Nick Halverson — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:03:00 GMT

By Adam Williams
Tico Times Staff | awilliams@ticotimes.net
http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_08/080410.htm#story1

The eighth edition of ExpoCasa, the Costa Rican national housing exposition, kicks off Wednesday afternoon at the Centro de Eventos Pedregal in San Antonio de Belén, in Heredia, northwest of San José. The expo, which runs through Sunday evening, will feature over 250 stands with information on renting or buying a home or property, financing a home, and real estates agencies, as well as items for home construction and décor.

Fifty of the stands will be dedicated to housing and property offerings in different regions of the country, including the Central Valley, mountain areas and beaches. Jason Alvarado, the spokesperson for the expo, said the sales prices of the homes offered range from $49,000 to $560,000 and that 12 national banks will be on hand to provide interested home owners and buyers with financing options.

“The reason ExpoCasa has always been so helpful for visitors is that it allows them to take care of many of the steps involved in buying a house or property all at the same place,” Alvarado said. “It makes the entire process of home ownership much easier.”

As many as 14,000 people are expected to visit ExpoCasa during the five-day event.

ExpoCasa Schedule
Wednesday – 1 to 10 p.m.; Inauguration at 5 p.m.
Thursday – 1 to 10 p.m.
Friday – 1 to 10 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Entry fee:
Wednesday through Friday: Free
Saturday and Sunday: ₡ 1,000; free for senior citizens and children under the age of 12.

More news coming soon

Nick Halverson — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:15:00 GMT

More news coming soon

Costa Rica: Working with China for more investments

Nick Halverson — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:10:00 GMT

http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_08/080210.htm#story4

By Chrissie Long
Tico Times Staff | clong@ticotimes.net

Even as the Chinese are putting the finishing touches on world class soccer stadium in San José's La Sabana metropolitan park – a gift to the Central American country – Costa Rica is seeking more investment by the Chinese in infrastructure and in clean energy.On Sunday, during a visit by China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Costa Rica made a pitch to its Asian ally to invest in a $221 million highway that would connect the country's northern plains with the Caribbean port of Limón, among other infrastructure projects.

The plea comes at a time when Costa Rica's highways are crumbling under heavy rains and the weight of years of postponed improvements. Just three days before Jiechi arrived, part of the country's main highway north, which connects the country with the rest of Central America, was closed when part of a bridge over the Rio Seco collapsed (see story, below).

But Costa Rica's foreign minister, René Castro, said the relationship should be a two-way street.

“They also have some ideas for advancement relating to biotechnology, cultural exchanges and sciences that are being developed,” he said, adding that he is looking for “a mature, win-win relationship” between China and Costa Rica in years to come.

Following a working session at the Foreign Ministry's headquarters at the Casa Amarilla, in downtown San José, the two diplomats signed a cooperation agreement, which is expected to bring $6.2 billion in infrastructure improvements to Costa Rica.

Jiechi spent time with President Laura Chinchilla, Vice Presidents Alfio Piva and Luis Liberman, as well as the heads of the Security Ministry, the Foreign Trade Ministry and the Transportation Ministry.

Formal relations between Costa Rica and China began in 2007 during the Oscar Arias administration. In addition to the soccer stadium, China is also investing in the state-owned refinery in Moín and has purchased $300 million in bonds, among other projects.

South Pacific More Popular than Guanacaste this Year

Nick Halverson — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:31:00 GMT

By Matt Levin
Tico Times Staff | mlevin@ticotimes.net
http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_07/073010.htm#story5

Costa Rica's summer break vacation period saw many travelers heading toward the Central Pacific coast or to Monteverde, while fewer vacationers made the trip to Guanacaste, a traditional vacation hotspot for Ticos.

Photo: Nick Halverson. Ballena National Park, Uvita, Osa, Costa Rica

A survey conducted by the National Tourism Chamber (CANATUR) tracked the level of occupancy of hotels in nine different areas of Costa Rica during the last month.

The area with the greatest percentage of occupancy overall was the Central Pacific (65.4 percent), followed closely by Monteverde (64.6 percent) and the Southern Pacific (63.7 percent).

CANATUR said overall occupancy was a middling 56.1 percent.

Guanacaste, specifically its southern part (36.4 percent), saw the least growth. According to CANATUR, South Pacific hoteliers believed that opening the road to Caldera and the Costanera Sur highway from Quepos, attracted travelers to the area.

"We are very pleased because the occupation in the first half of July exceeded our expectations,” said Ulises Ramirez, manager of the Cristal Ballena Hotel in the Southern Pacific region. “Employers believe that hotels in this area benefited the opening of (the new roads), as this saved time for tourists travelling to the region.”

The northern parts of the country took in the most foreign tourists, with 76.9 percent of the total. The highest percentage of domestic tourists (45 percent) visited the Southern Pacific region.

Hotels in other regions attributed growth to mid-year promotions that pitched deals as last-minute options.

"The mid-year holiday season is important for the sector. However, this year was atypical because the promotions that the hotels offered served as last resorts in many cases. Poor weather also scared off tourists to the area," said Luis Villegas, of the Hotel Montaña de Fuego, located in La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Average Occupancy by region during mid-year vacations:
Mid-Pacific	65.4%
Monteverde	64.6%
South Pacific	63.7%
Central Valley	56%
Northern Plains	56%
Caribbean	54.8%
North Guanacaste	52.9%
Puntarenas and Islands	51,7%
South Guanacaste	36.4%
Total:	56.1%

Sol Property Group Message from Management: June 2010

Nick Halverson — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:06:00 GMT

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs001/1102213396346/archive/1103489207353.html

Costa Rica Launches Aerospace Program

Nick Halverson — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:57:00 GMT

By Adam Williams
Tico Times Staff | awilliams@ticotimes.net
http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_07/072710.htm#story4

What the city of Houston, Texas is to space travel in the United States, the city of Liberia may soon be to Costa Rica.

On Sunday, President Laura Chinchilla announced that Liberia, located in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, will be the location for an initiative entitled “National Aerospace Development and Integration for the Central American Region in the Generation of New Technologies.” The presentation also included the unveiling of the Central American Aerospace Industry Chamber (CACIA), which will consist of numerous aerospace experts and companies in Central America. Chinchilla had mentioned further development of the national aerospace program as one of her priorities since her inauguration in May.

Liberia was selected as the site for the program's launch because of its proximity to the headquarters of the Ad Astra Rocket Company, which was formed in 2005 by Costa Rican astronaut and rocket scientist Franklin Chang. Chang, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), spent many years working as a scientist and astronaut with the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Ad Astra is based in Houston, Texas.

The Costa Rican branch of the company, located 10 kilometers west of Liberia on the campus of EARTH University, focuses its research on the creation of the plasma rocket, known as the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR). Ad Astra in Costa Rica hopes to test one of their first plasma rockets in space by 2014.

“We want recognition for Costa Rica, so the country can enter this special industry,” Chinchilla said in May. “We hope that Costa Rica will be the first Latin American country (to enter the space industry).” (TT, May 14)

Of the various experts in attendance, several spoke on their ideas for the development of Central American aerospace, their plans to finance the projects, and explanations of how they will advance the use of plasma energy. According to Costa Rica's foreign minister, René Castro, over 80 Central American companies have expressed interest in participating in the development of CACIA and the aerospace program.

New Highway in Guanacaste Cota Rica Planned

Nick Halverson — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:40:00 GMT

By Adam Williams
Tico Times Staff | awilliams@ticotimes.net
http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_07/072610.htm#story3

Costa Rica's Second Vice President Luis Liberman announced Saturday that $1.5 million will be spent to build a new two-kilometer road in the northwestern province of Guanacaste.

The proposed road will connect Playa Panama with route 159, the roadway that links the coast with the provincial capital of Liberia farther inland. The project was announced in Liberia during the weekend celebration to commemorate the 186th anniversary of the annexation of the province to Costa Rica.

According to the Public Works and Transportation Ministry (MOPT), the new roadway project will be built in two stages. The first will connect the principal street of the town of Panama to Route 159 in Playa Arenilla, while the second stage will connect Route 159 with Playa Buena. MOPT also said the project will include improvement of some of the side roads and bridges in the area, as well as the creation of new bus stops. The projects are expected to be completed during the next three months.

“This is an important development both for tourism and the people of these communities,” Liberman said. “We want to provide tourists more access to these communities, which will generate employment and financial opportunities for their residents.”

The project, which will be implemented by MECO, a private contractor, will also improve the bridge over Quebrada La Pita. The one lane bridge will be expanded to two lanes and an additional support beam will be added to the bridge's base.

New Highway Planned in Guanacaste, Cota Rica

Nick Halverson — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:35:00 GMT

By Adam Williams
Tico Times Staff | awilliams@ticotimes.net
http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_07/072610.htm#story3

Costa Rica's Second Vice President Luis Liberman announced Saturday that $1.5 million will be spent to build a new two-kilometer road in the northwestern province of Guanacaste.

Costa Rica's Second Language Initiative

Nick Halverson — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:45:00 GMT


By Sophia Klempner Tico Times Staff \| sklempner@ticotimes.net
Original: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_06/062910.htm#story5 The Multilingualism Promotion Program aims to teach English, French, Portuguese, Italian, German and Mandarin Chinese to people throughout Costa Rica, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry. The program, announced Thursday, aims to promote language learning as a tool to stimulate the country's social and economic progress, as well as to improve the climate for business, investments and tourism, the ministry said. The program will offer diverse language instruction options such as courses and conversation groups in community centers, as well as using foreign volunteers who wish to learn Spanish in exchange for teaching their language. In addition, some 200 Peace Corps volunteers will be teaching English throughout the country over the next four years. The effort was launched jointly by Foreign Minister René Castro, Decentralization and Local Development Minister Juan Marín, Marta Blanco, director of the Costa Rica Multilingual Foundation, Shirley Calvo, director of Dinadeco (the National Community Development Office), Olman Segura, president of the National Training Institute (INA), and President Laura Chinchilla. Segura said the program partners will immediately begin a process of “identifying the demand” among those interested in learning another language so that the necessary teacher hirings could be made. The program began by polling 200 businesses. The first language services will be offered in Guanacaste and Limón provinces, Segura said. Marín and Calvo noted the importance of the program's availability to young and elderly people, as well as children, in communities and municipalities throughout the country. Castro lauded the efforts of the state universities, adding that the University of Costa Rica has 200 slots open for foreign language study at a number of levels. The push for multilingualism, together with promoting an emergent aerospace industry and the biotech and electronics sectors, form a central part of President Chinchilla's administration. Blanco said with two years of experience under belt at the Costa Rican Multilingual Foundation, the group aims to see all high school students graduate with a good working knowledge of English within the next 10 years. Multilingualism Promotion Program partner websites: Dinadeco: www.dinadeco.go.cr INA: www.ina.ac.cr Costa Rica Multilingual Foundation: www.crmultilingue.org Foreign Ministry: www.rree.go.cr President of the Republic: www.casapres.go.cr

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Obama Lifts Costa Rica's Sugar Quota to USA

Nick Halverson — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:31:00 GMT

By Alex Leff

Tico Times Staff | aleff@ticotimes.net

U.S. President Barack Obama signed a proclamation that will reinstate preferential treatment for Costa Rican sugar, the White House said Monday. Its quota for the U.S. market was suspended because of Costa Rica's foot-dragging in enacting reforms to implement a free-trade deal with the U.S., according to the statement.

Starting Tuesday, Costa Rica can export 13,880 metric tons of tariff-free sugar and sugar-containing goods a year to the U.S.

The block had gone into effect in January, causing an estimated $1 million in lost revenue for the country's sugar sector, according to Edgar Herrera, executive director of the national sugar cane association, LAICA.

Herrera said LAICA represents the interests of more than 12,000 producers and 15 mills, and that sugar is a $200 million industry here.

Costa Rica joined the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with United States (CAFTA) in January 2009, after pushing through a dozen liberalizing reforms needed to join the trade club. But one controversial bill to toughen copyright reforms lingered, prompting the U.S. to block a key deal on sugar until Costa Rican legislators approved the law.

The lawmakers passed the reforms in April.

On Monday, sugar producers and trade officials celebrated their regained preferential treatment.

“We're very satisfied with this result, which allows Costa Rica to sell 13,880 metric tons of sugar to the United States market, taking advantage of the benefits of the agreement,” said Anabel González, Costa Rica's foreign trade minister.

More Foreign Investment in Costa Rica

Nick Halverson — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:29:00 GMT

By Matt Levin
Tico Times Staff | mlevin@ticotimes.net

Original: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_06/061510.htm#story3

As the economy recovers, more multinational companies are looking to invest in Costa Rica.

The latest was medical device manufacturing company Nitinol Devices & Components (NDC), whose decision to begin operations in the country was announced this week. Gabriela Llobet, the director general of the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE), estimated that approximately six more companies will break ground for or inaugurate new operations in the upcoming months.

NDC manufactures medical guide wires used for non-invasive surgery. The company is negotiating to set up a facility in one of San José's free trade zones, which allow businesses to import materials and export goods without barriers such as quotas or tariffs (TT, Jan. 29).

Llobet said the Fremont, Calif.-based NDC was a good fit for the country because of Costa Rica's close to its primary market, the United States. In addition, other medical device manufacturers are already having success in Costa Rica.

“It's a strategic location,” Llobet said. “Just for the fact of already having all these companies operating here in this sector – it's a great indication for them that they can find the required human capital to not only to get established here, but continue growing (pursuant to) a long term strategy in Costa Rica.”

NDC will invest $3.5 million in operations in the country, and plans to hire 30 employees by the end of the year. The long-term goal is to employ 200 people, Llobet said.

She added that CINDE hopes to help bring in 29 multinational businesses this year. She said that an early estimate is that around 5,000 jobs could be created in the services, medical devices and advanced manufacturing sectors. 21 new operations moved to Costa Rica in 2009.

The Central Bank estimates $1.3 billion of foreign direct investment for this year, while two sectors in particular appear to be leading Costa Rica's foreign investment landscape.

“We're going to continue to see some medical device manufacturing companies and (companies) in the area of services as well,” Llobet said. “(Also) perhaps, in other areas as well. But I would pinpoint these two specific sectors as ones in which we have seen continuous growth in the past. And I believe we'll see the same in 2010.”

Costa Rica Unemployment Rate Is Better than Expected - Better Than USA Rate

Nick Halverson — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:59:00 GMT

The rate of open unemployment increased from 7.3 to 8.1 percent during 2009, less than originally feared, said the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the International Labour Organization in a bulletin published this month.

In their third joint bulletin, the organizations examine the impact of the global crisis and gradual economic recovery on the labor market in Latin America and the Caribbean during 2009, concluding that the impact on labor was not as strong as initially predicted.

Although the crisis caused a drop in employment, an increase in unemployment rates and the deterioration of the quality of employment, the impact was mitigated by the signs of economic recovery as of mid-2009 around the globe, the countercyclical policies adopted in many countries and the stability of the purchasing power of wages due to decreasing inflation, which restrained the fall in domestic demand.

Moreover, unemployment increased less than expected, partly due to the fact that many youths stopped searchingfor jobs given the unfavourable conditions of the labour market, the bulletin said.

Towards the end of 2009, labour indicators in many countries were improving, and by the last quarter of the year, the employment rate in the region had reached the same levels as that of the same quarter in 2008. This process was accompanied by better quality of employment, given that in all of the countries with available data, formal employment began to rise.

The improvements in the labour market continued through the beginning of 2010, although several countries are far from overcoming the impact of the crisis and the degree of economic recovery differs significantly from one country to another, said the bulletin.

The bulletin also examines some of the policies adopted during the crisis and that have increased opportunities for women and promoted gender parity. Among them are the measures geared at protecting the income of the most vulnerable workers, which indirectly benefit women given their high concentration in those income groups, and programs to retain and promote jobs especially aimed at the inclusion of women.

MoneyGram & Citi to Work Together in Central America

Nick Halverson — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:57:00 GMT

Original posting: http://amcostarica.com/morenews3.htm

MoneyGram International, a global money transfer company, and Citi, the financial services firm, announced Thursday an agreement to expand MoneyGram’s money transfer services to all Citi locations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

“This important agreement extends MoneyGram’s presence in Citi’s network across Central America,” said Dan O’Malley, MoneyGram International executive vice president for the Americas. “MoneyGram’s growth in Central America is a vital part of our global expansion plans, and adding hundreds of agent locations across Central America with a premier partner like Citi is a significant step in establishing a foundation for future growth.”

In 2009, Central America received nearly $11.6 billion in remittances according to the Inter-American Development Bank. Central America is highly dependent on these funds as the bank estimated it accounts for nearly 17 percent of the region’s gross domestic product, said MoneyGram.

"Expanding our relationship with MoneyGram will provide Central Americans in the region and their family and friends with affordable, reliable and convenient money transfer services," said Constantino Gotsis, a Citi executive.

Citi has grown extensively in the region since 2007 when it acquired Grupo Cuscatlan and Grupo Financiero Uno. Both institutions had provided MoneyGram money transfer services for 15 years in El Salvador and Honduras.

MoneyGram began its global money transfer services in Central America more than 15 years ago.

The company has expanded in the region and has a network comprised of financial institutions and retailers.

Costa Rica is a leadding Exporter

Nick Halverson — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:53:00 GMT

Did you know that most of bananas, pineapples and melons consumed in several countries of Europe and in the United States have a Costa Rican stamp? With just 51,100 square kilometers and a population of a little more than 4 and a half million inhabitants, this small country bet on diversifying non-traditional products under an integral strategy of trade, and that has been the success of its current leadership on several products that exports every each.

Costa Rica is the first world provider of fresh pineapple and it is positioned as the third worldwide exporter of bananas. Also, it is among the first marketers of melon and the first global exporter of palm heart.

Live butterflies have also given Costa Rica a first place medal in the world, with more than 70,000 pupae shipped each year to different markets.

It is also the first exporter of “chayotes” (vegetable pears) in the world, a leader in the manufacture of rubber gaskets, and one of the main suppliers of hair dryers and leather belts to the United States, as well as of underwear for men, besides being the second provider of soccer balls and medical instruments to that country.

Only in the United States, and representing just 0.02% of all its international purchases, Costa Rica also became the main supplier of roots such as cassava and the second in terms of fresh vegetables and prepared fruits.

Traditionally, Costa Rican trade was based on coffee and bananas; however, for several years now; other possibilities that emerged became stars exporters and not only in the agricultural field. Integrated circuits and electronic microstructures, in addition to computer parts, currently head international sales.

This received a strong boost with the advent of the transnational Intel which built here one of its main plants, where its most revolutionary chip of the last 15 years is currently manufactured.

In spite of this technological development, the traditional leading products such as bananas, remain strong. Banana is the fourth product in the list of leaders, followed by sweet fresh pineapple, and of course coffee.

Original: http://www.thesjopost.com/news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=359%3Acosta-rica-a-little-big-exporter&catid=45%3Aperiscope&Itemid=86&lang=en

Technology is "Fundamental" to Costa Rica's Development Goals

Nick Halverson — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:58:00 GMT

Original post: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_06/061110.htm#story1

An often-mentioned goal of President Laura Chinchilla's administration is to transform Costa Rica into the first “developed” country in Latin America.

The recipe for success in achieving that goal will require many ingredients, and one of the most vital of them will be the development of advanced, accessible and reliable technology.

Over the last decade, access to new technologies, such as computers, cell phones and all-encompassing handheld devices, has gone from optional to almost mandatory. Many jobs require knowledge of how to operate a computer, schools teach computer literacy courses, and to roam about without a cell phone is considered almost Precambrian. These days, communication and information are expected to be accessible and immediate. Therefore, to be considered as such, a developed country must live up to these standards.

In a speech in Costa Rica in May, Norm Judah, the Chief Technology Officer of the Microsoft Corporation, the world's leading developer and provider of computer software, commented on today's high-tech life.

“One of the biggest changes with the Internet has been the immediacy of information,” he said. “If you are trying to find information, whether you are looking for it on your computer or on your phone, you can get it. We have practically done away with the need to go to people to get information. You don't even have to go to a library to get a reference book. Almost everything is available online.”

Fifteen years ago, Microsoft began operations in Costa Rica with the idea of promoting technological development in the country and in the Central American region. Recently, Juan Pablo Consuegra, Microsoft's newly appointed general manager in Costa Rica, met with The Tico Times to talk about the company's plans and the importance of technology in the country's development. Following is a summary of that interview.

TT: President Laura Chinchilla on many occasions has referred to the goal of Costa Rica becoming a developed country. What do you think the role of technology is in relation to this goal?

JPC: I think Costa Rica is already on track towards earning that distinction. Costa Rica grew 8 points in the network readiness index presented at the World Economic Forum in March. Through the work of the government, Costa Rica is known as being strong in education and health. The country is very focused on the idea of using technology to improve its standing in those areas. I think the application of technology will continue to improve, and the impact it will have on students will be vital, as being familiar with technology has become almost necessary in many career fields.

So, to answer the question, technology is fundamental to becoming a developed country. We are here to assist in developing it, and to work with the government to strengthen the availability of technology across the country.

What is the role of Microsoft in Costa Rica ?

We are committed to the Microsoft vision here and in Central America. Part of that vision is to develop technology in the country. We are very pleased to be the leader in the region in that regard, and to have the continued support of the government to contribute and commit to the development of technology here.

Secondly, Microsoft continues to be the company that guides the way in which people work. We know that this is important, and we take pride in it. We want to make sure companies in this country have access to the technology that optimizes the functioning of their organization.

International Living Ranks Costa Rica as a Top 5 Healthiest Places to Live

Nick Halverson — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:06:00 GMT

By Matt Levin
Tico Times Staff | mlevin@ticotimes.net

Original: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_06/060910.htm#story3

The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica was ranked one of the top five healthiest places to live in the latest issue of International Living magazine. The publication picked the area in the northwest part of the country due to its recognition by scientists as a "blue zone" a place where residents often live to the age of 100.

The magazine stated that scientists spent nine months there in 2007 to research the longevity of people in Nicoya. The researchers determined eight keys to their long lives:

Diet (high in fiber foods like corn and beans)
Water (contains "loads of calcium")
Family (Most of the centenarians lived with others and received family support).
Eating (Residents ate light dinners. Fewer calories contribute to a longer life.)
Climate ( Nicoya has a dry heat. Food won't spoil quickly and citizens get plenty of vitamin D from the sun).
Social life (Centenarians still involved in the society).
Work (The elderly still perform chores and other types of physical work - and enjoy it).
Purpose (The centenarians feel a part of the community, and like they are contributing to a greater good).

The magazine caters to expatriates looking to find cheap, healthy and safe opportunities for living abroad, with an emphasis on spots for retirement.

Of the five healthiest spots selected by the magazine, three are in Latin America, with two located in Central America. The other four locations on the list were New Zealand, the Volcán valley in Panama, Sardinia and Vilcabamba, Ecuador.

Despite the magazine's high acclaim for Nicoya, International Living's annual Quality of Life Index did not place Costa Rica near the top of the rankings. The list rates which countries, out of 194, are the best to live in. This year Costa Rica tied for 30th with several other countries, including Panama. France topped the list for the fifth year in a row. Australia, Switzerland and Germany tied for second. The United States tied for sixth. To view the rankings, click here.

Costa Ricans Earn Award for More Efficient Solar Energy Cell Design

Nick Halverson — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:03:00 GMT

Original article: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_06/060910.htm#story3

By Mike McDonald
Tico Times Staff | mmcdonald@ticotimes.net

A team of researchers from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the Costa Rican Technological Institute (ITCR) has won the 2009 Contribution to Quality and Excellence Award and a $25,000 cash prize from the Florida Ice and Farm Company for developing a more efficient solar energy cell, the UCR announced on Tuesday.

The team's project, titled Solar Cells that Contain Sensitive Dye for the Production of Electric Energy, uses a titanium dioxide cell with a ruthenium dye base to absorb a greater amount of the electromagnetic spectrum than the solar cells that presently exist.

To date, cells in solar panels typically have been made with polymorphic silicone, which has a lower output than the dye-based method that the UCR-ITCR team has created. Silicone also requires a costly purification process, increasing the price of solar panels and discouraging people from purchasing them.

The researchers' proposal is to replace the silicone with the ruthenium dye base, which would increase solar panel efficiency and bring down the up-front costs of producing solar energy.

"The titanium dioxide (cell) has a much lower price than silicon and it is much more accessible", said Leslie Pineda, a researcher at the UCR's School of Chemistry.

The project was initially funded by the National Council of University Rectors.

New Costa Rican Ambassador to United Nations Appointed

Nick Halverson — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:02:00 GMT

Eduardo Ulibarri, former editor of the Costa Rican daily La Nación and a journalism professor at the University of Costa Rica, was named Costa Rica's ambassador to the United Nations by President Laura Chinchilla on Tuesday. Ulibarri, who has no previous diplomatic experience, is a well-known political commentator and an exponent of press freedom.

Costa Rica Tourism Up 10%+ in 2010

Nick Halverson — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 16:36:00 GMT

Orignal: http://www.ticotimes.net/daily_paid/dailynewsarchive/2010_06/060210.htm#story3
By Adam Williams
Tico Times Staff | awilliams@ticotimes.net

Costa Rican tourism in 2010 is flying high, according to a report released by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) on Tuesday. The study claims that the number of tourists entering the country via its international airports increased 10.6 percent through the first four months of 2010, in comparison to the same period in 2009. The months of December through April are considered to be the country's tourism high season.

According to the ICT, During the first four months of the year, 546,474 tourists flew into Costa Rica, up 52,419 visitors from the first four months in 2009. The increased number of tourists is hovering close to the same mark seen during the first four months of 2008 (559,039), which was the best year in history for the in Costa Rican tourism industry. Nearly 2.1 million people visited the country in the course of that year.

“The principal reason for the improvement has been that the level of income for tourists has gotten back on track,” said Juan Carlos Ramos, the president of the National Tourism Chamber (Canatur). “The numbers are up from the first four months of the year compared to last year, and although they are still a little below the number from 2008, improvement has been steady thus far this year.”

The number of tourists entering Costa Rica through the Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela, west of San José, has increased by 7.8 percent. At the country's other major airport, the Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia in the northwest province of Guanacaste. According to the ICT, the annual increase in tourists continues to boost airport revenue, which is reported to be up 3.63 percent since its 2008 high-water mark.

Some of the improvement in tourism figures at Costa Rican airports can be attributed to new offerings of direct flights into San José. In March, Aeromexico opened a route to San José from Mexico City. The new route also creates a quicker passage from San José to Asian countries, as Aeromexico also flies to Shanghai and Tokyo. In April, American Airlines began offering a direct flight from San José to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

“The promotion of new airline carriers and routes will be an important push during this administration,” Tourism Minister Carlos Benavides told The Tico Times in April (TT, May 14). “It will be important to try to establish new routes to new markets, and one we consider to be very important is South America. We also would like to promote a larger amount of destinations for tourists from the U.S. and Canada. In addition to that, we would like to try to establish more direct flights from Costa Rica to Europe. Currently, the only direct flight to Europe is from San José to Madrid, Spain, on Iberia Airlines. We think we can possibly open more direct flights if we improve our relationships with European countries.”