The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, June 19, 2003

PERPLEXING: CAFTA negotiators wonder where the free-trade talks are leading. Read story in tomorrow's TT print edition.
AFP/TT

Government Optimistic
About Economic Growth
The President's chief economic advisor Ronulfo Jiménez Tuesday revealed the country's economic growth indicators for the first four months of 2003, which, he said, contrary to estimates made earlier in the year, show a strong economy on the brink of recovery.
(Click for more)

Tico Wins First Round of Youth Tour
GUATEMALA (AFP)- Costa Rican cyclist Juan Rojas yesterday completed the first day of the XXXIX Youth Tour with the best time of 43 competing cyclists from Central America.
(Click for more)

Private Sector Salaries to Increase by 4,68%
The National Salaries Council Tuesday unanimously approved a salary increase for the private sector of 4.68% for the second half of the year, effective July 1. The increase will apply to more than 800,000 workers of all trades, the daily La Nación reported.
(Click for more)

'Guima' to Coach Cartago
Unable to come to a final agreement with the Honduran National Soccer Team, former Tico coach Alexandre Guimaraes, who led Costa Rica to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, announced yesterday that he will stay here and coach Cartago next year.
(Click for more)

June 19

Bingo
Win tickets to to Europe, South America, U.S., weekends in national hotels and much more, to benefit Cedes Don Bosco, at 7 p.m., at Corobicí Hotel. Info: 231-2691.

Ecological Town Workshop
July 18-21, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., at Instituto de Enseñanza Radiofónica ICER, Lourdes, Montes de Oca and Finca Kan Tan, Boruca. Info: 225-6397, 234-7511.

Video Festival
Today's features: "Mosca," "Boom," "Estoy en el Cielo?" "Recuerdo de un Hombre Solo," "Mi Casita," (Costa Rica), "The Wall" (England) at 5:30 p.m. at Contemporary Art and Design Museum, Ca. 15, Av. 3. Info: 257-7202.

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Government Optimistic
About Economic Growth
By Fabián Borges
Tico Times Staff

A 4-magnitue quake shook things up a bit in the Southern Zone yesterday morning at 6: 30, without registering any damage or injuries, according to the Institute of Seismology.

The President's chief economic advisor Ronulfo Jiménez Tuesday revealed the country's economic growth indicators for the first four months of 2003, which, he said, contrary to estimates made earlier in the year, show a strong economy on the brink of recovery.

According to the report, during the first trimester total imports and exports increased and significant growth was reported in the country's construction and tourism sectors.

"We are seeing more growth than we had estimated at the end of 2002, and significantly more growth than the economy showed during the first months of last year," Jiménez insisted. "The economy is showing strong signs of recovery."

Fueled by a booming high-tech sector, the Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMAE) grew 6.4% over the last 12 months leading up to April. However, excluding computer chip-manufacturer Intel and other high-tech industries, growth was limited to 3.9%.

The growth-rate marks the strongest 12-month rise since December 1999, Jiménez said, adding that the April data reaffirms the index is continuing on an upward trend that began last August.

Read Friday's TT print edition for more on state of economy.

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Tico Wins First Round of Youth Tour

GUATEMALA (AFP)- Costa Rican cyclist Juan Rojas yesterday completed the first day of the XXXIX Youth Tour with the best time of 43 competing cyclists from Central America.

Rojas, who completed the first 109 km-leg of the race with a time of 3 hours, 1 minute and 42 seconds, beat out Guatemalan cyclists Dany Morales and Juan Hernández.

The three were neck-and-neck heading into the final sprint, but Rojas managed to edge his Guatemalan challengers across the finish line by five seconds.

The five-day-long Youth Tour, totaling 594.6 kilometers, will end on Sunday.

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Private Sector Salaries to Increase by 4,68%

The National Salaries Council Tuesday unanimously approved a salary increase for the private sector of 4.68% for the second half of the year, effective July 1. The increase will apply to more than 800,000 workers of all trades, the daily La Nación reported.

For a carpenter, the hike will translate into an additional ¢168 (42 U.S. cents) a day for a daily salary of ¢3,764 ($9.40). A messenger's salary would increase from ¢94,028 ($235) to ¢98,428 ($246). The base salary for a college graduate would increase from ¢178,255 ($457) to ¢186,597 ($466).

Workers' representatives had originally requested a 10% increase, but after much negotiation accepted the government's 4.68% offer late Tuesday afternoon.

Gilbert Bermúdez, workers' representative at the salary council, explained that the offer was accepted because it was "mathematically indisputable." However, he admitted that a salary increase of less than 5% would not solve the economic needs of many workers, particularly those whose salaries will increase would be between ¢168 (42 cents) and ¢316 (79 cents) a day.

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'Guima' to Coach Cartago

Unable to come to a final agreement with the Honduran National Soccer Team, former Tico coach Alexandre Guimaraes, who led Costa Rica to the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, announced yesterday that he will stay here and coach Cartago next year.

"I imagine great things for Cartago next year," the Brazilian-born, Costa Rican-naturalized coach said.

"My plan is to end the team's 63-year-drought," Guimaraes said, referring to the teams six decades without winning the championship.

Cartago, one of Costa Rica's oldest league teams, finished third in the division last year.
-AFP

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