The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, October 29, 2002

C.R.'s REAL TREASURE: Nature must be protected as part of globalization, President Pacheco said.
TT/Photo

October 29

Last days of Art Exhibit
José Miguel Bolaños’ Illustrations and engravings are on display for until Oct. 31 at Casa de la Cultura José Figueres Ferrer, 300 north, 300 east of Santa Teresita Church, Barrio Escalante. Don’t miss it. Info: 224-0010.

Biggest Buffet in the World
Reserve today for a weekend of more than 400 different food dishes. Buffet is Sun., Nov. 3, 10:30 a.m., at the Convention Center of the Herradura Hotel, General Cañas Highway, San Antonio de Belén. Info: 222-2118, anchef@racsa.co.cr

University Music
University of Costa Rica invites all to its "Martes por la Noche Program," with a harp recital performed by Ruth Garita. At 7 p.m., at room 107 of the School of Music in the Campus. Info: 207-5565.

XXI Choir Festival
Today is the opening of this special event, featuring different choirs. Runs through Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m., at the National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3-5. Info: 233-1272.

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Pacheco calls for the Humanization of Globalization

Addressing 150 representatives of the government, labor and rights groups who gathered yesterday for the opening of "The National Dialogue on the Social Aspects of Globalization," President Abel Pacheco stressed the importance of including social and environmental protection guarantees in economic integration initiatives with other countries.

"There are many voices throughout the world who believe economic globalization is an opportunity to universalize human rights," Pacheco said.

Noting that economics is an important aspect of globalization, Pacheco stressed that workers' rights, fair trade, environmental protection and cultural understanding are equally important elements of world integration, which cannot be left out of the process.

"We need to take advantage of globalization to promote improvements to work conditions, security, stability and social protections in all countries," he said.

Not protecting labor rights in globalization initiatives, Pacheco said, is the same as supporting slave-like work conditions that exist in some countries.

"If we rely on the simple law of supply and demand, we are ashamedly supporting conditions of slavery in some countries," he said, without naming names.

Pacheco also clarified that while he supports labor rights, he does not support certain groups in Costa Rica that manipulate workers to support their own agenda in the name of protecting the interests of labor.

The President also stressed the importance of protecting Mother Nature through globalization.

"Each country's biodiversity is its principal source of richness, and if we destroy that, no other form of richness will be possible," he said.

Pacheco also stressed the importance of using globalization to fight poverty and develop rural areas that are often marginalized from economic integration initiatives.

"Free-trade treaties need to prioritize creating businesses and jobs rural areas of each country, where people are usually the poorest and the most socially vulnerable," he said.

Pacheco noted that the principle of the "invisible hand" is not enough to ensure that free trade will result in fair economic practices.

"To convert the challenges of globalization into an opportunity to overcome the tragedy of poverty, we need to assure that mechanisms are put in place to [fairly] distribute wealth," Pacheco said.

"I am for globalization of human development; and I am for increasing Costa Rica's participation in large world markets. But this process has to translate into social justice, human solidarity and a universal fight against corruption."

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'Missing' Woman from U.S. Surfaces
By Tim Rogers
Tico Times Staff

Several hours after being reported as a "missing person" yesterday afternoon, 21-year-old Portia Metzler of Houston, Texas surfaced in the Caribbean province of Limón and e-mailed her parents to let them know she is okay.

Until last night, the last anyone had heard from Metzler was Oct. 12, when she boarded a bus for Limón to go hiking with a male friend, according to stepfather Mel Kroeger.

Parental concern turned to nervousness Sunday night, when Metzler was not on her return flight to Texas and family friends in Costa Rica did not know her whereabouts. Metzler's father then called the U.S. Embassy to report his daughter missing.

But the search ended before it began, when Metzler e-mailed her parents to explain she had been camping for the last two weeks, and was incommunicado.

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C.R. Trade Show Promises to be Bigger, Better

This year's fourth annual Buyer's Mission trade show, hosted by the Foreign Commerce Promotion Office (PROCOMER) Nov. 4 - 7 at the Real Inter-Continental Hotel in the western suburb of Escazú, promises to be bigger and better than last year's, according to event organizers.

The event will showcase Costa Rica's export products to potential buyers from Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago -- the countries that have signed free-trade agreements with Costa Rica.

The show is expected to attract more than 70 foreign firms that will be able to negotiate and buy goods from more than 150 Tico companies specializing in agriculture, decorative plants, chemical products, furniture, arts, crafts and metal products.

Event coordinator Mario Sánchez said the encounter will provide a unique opportunity for buyers and exporters, because it creates a forum where both parties can negotiate and discuss their terms and reach mutually beneficial agreements. In his opinion, foreign firms can save time by negotiating directly with local producers, which in turn allows exporters to save money that would otherwise be used for advertising.

The event also will include several seminars on export guidelines. The Mexican Normalization Society, Chilean Nutrition Society and Canadian Importers and Exporters Association will give a conference on product labeling, packaging and certification. Trinidad and Tobago's Agriculture Secretary will explain the basic requirements and restrictions that apply to foreign products in that country. The Dominican law firm of Pellerano and Herrera will discuss contracts and commercial agreements in the Dominican Republic.

For more information call Sánchez at PROCOMER, 256-7111, ext. 238.

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