The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, October 24, 2003

YOU CAN BANK ON IT: Inter-American Development Bank President Enrique Inglesias will be in Costa Rica next Saturday to talk shop with Pacheco's economic team.

Pacheco:
Ticos Need More Self-Confidence
President Abel Pacheco yesterday hailed Intel's decision to invest an additional $110 million in its Costa Rican production plant, saying it is a clear indication the country can compete effectively in a globalized world of free trade.
(Click for more)

Tourism Seminar
Offers Marketing Insight
Tourism expert Dr. Crist Inman will offer insight to national tourism agents during a free seminar on tourism in Costa Rica at the Radisson Conference Center in Barrio Tournón, Oct. 30, from 3-6:30 p.m.
(Click for more)

October 24

Feria del Pejibaye
Try out the different ways to prepare of this palm fruit at the fair which starts today and ends on Sunday at the Centro Agrícola Cantonal de Tucurrique in Cartago. Info: 380-1899.

Dancing for 25 Years
Danza Universitaria celebrates its 25 Anniversary this weekend with three days of dance performances that will include acid humor, wit and of course lots of movement. Shows begin at 8 p.m. at the National Theater, Av. 2, Ca. 3/5 in San José. Info: 221-5341.

Indigenous Fair
Support indigenous communities by visiting this fair, which will have crafts for sale, food, medicinal plants, talks and indigenous dances. The fair is Sat.-Sun., Oct. 25-26, starting at 10 a.m. at the Centro de Conservación in Santa Ana. Info: 256-0012, 233-6701.

Return To Top Of Page

Pacheco: Ticos Need More Self-Confidence

President Abel Pacheco yesterday hailed Intel's decision to invest an additional $110 million in its Costa Rican production plant, saying it is a clear indication the country can compete effectively in a globalized world of free trade.

Speaking yesterday at the Intel plant, Pacheco thanked the U.S. microchip giant for having confidence in Costa Rica and in the abilities of its skilled labor force.

Intel, which this year has doubled its microchip exports to the United States, announced that it was expanding its Costa Rican plant to produce a new product line called "chipsets." The massive expansion, scheduled for completion in 2004, will provide an estimated 600 new jobs in Costa Rica.

"I am especially content for the 600 Costa Rican professionals and high-level technicians who will be employed by this company as a result of the new investment," Pacheco said. "These 600 Costa Rican families, more or less 3,000 people, will see the future with more confidence, security and happiness."

The President then went on to question how a U.S. company can have more confidence in Costa Rica than some of its own citizens, referring to those who are protesting the pending Central America Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

"How is it possible that within our own country there are people that do not have faith in Costa Ricans and our capacities to compete and triumph in the world," Pacheco said. "How is it possible that there are people who take to the streets and ask us to close the country with padlocks because, according to them, Costa Ricans are incapable of success?"

Pacheco said that as the President, as a citizen and as a psychiatrist, he is upset by the actions of some Costa Ricans who try to diminish the country's greatness by misleading people into believing that Costa Rica is a small and incapable country.

"To achieve [greatness] we cannot enclose ourselves and become victims of fear and lack of faith in our own capabilities," the President said. "To dream big, to act big and to triumph big is the mission and historic work of our people. We have done it in the past, we are doing it now and we will continue to do it in the future."

Return To Top Of Page

BID President to Visit Costa Rica

Enrique Iglesias, president of the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), is scheduled to visit Costa Rica on Saturday to meet with government authorities to discuss the Central America Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) being negotiated with the United States and the current fiscal plan being debated in the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly, according to the BID.

Iglesias is scheduled for a working lunch Saturday with President Abel Pacheco, Central Bank President Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez, Congressional President Mario Redondo and the ministers of Finance and Foreign Trade.

Return To Top Of Page

Tourism Seminar Offers Marketing Insight

Tourism expert Dr. Crist Inman will offer insight to national tourism agents during a free seminar on tourism in Costa Rica at the Radisson Conference Center in Barrio Tournón, Oct. 30, from 3-6:30 p.m.

Bahía Pez Vela Resort, in the northern Pacific town of Playa Ocotal, and translation company Idioma Internacional, S.A. are co-sponsoring the seminar with Inman, a sustainable tourism development specialist for the Central American School of Business Administration (INCAE) and a professor at Cornell University Hotel School's Paris MBA Program.

The seminar will focus on Costa Rica's position in the global tourism market, the role of national tourism agencies and operators and new market techniques for increasing sales and economic benefits for the country.

For more information and to make reservations, e-mail admin@bahiapezvela.com or call: 520-0716.

Return To Top Of Page