The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, January 6, 2004

BETTER THAN THE FLU: The Ministry of Health began a campaign yesterday to vaccinate 70,000 old and young Costa Ricans against influenza.
TT/Julio Laínez

RECOPE Requests Increase
In Petroleum Prices
The Costa Rican Oil Refinery (RECOPE) wants to raise gas prices in Costa Rica by an average of 2.4%.
(Click for more)

January 6

Trova Night
Enjoy trova and Latin American songs performed by TROVA Trio, 9:30 p.m. at the jazz Café in San Pedro. Info: 253-8933.

Trip to Observe Whales and Dolphins
Register today for the tour organized by the Organization of Tropical Studies, includes transportation, some meals and lodging. Participants will visit Drake Bay and Caño Island on Jan. 10. Tour leaves at 6 a.m. from the National Theater in San José and returns Jan. 11 at 8:30 p.m. Info: 236-1713.

Vacaciones Felices Camp
Kids' camp includes meals, fun activities, T-shirt, materials, for children 5-12 years, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Jan. 12-16, Jan. 19-31, Children's Museum, Av. 9, Ca. 4. Register your children at 258-4929, ext. 113-114.

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Costa Rican and U.S. Negotiators
Reunite for Free-Trade Talks

Free-trade talks between U.S. and Costa Rican negotiators began again yesterday in Washington D.C., after coming to a halt in December when Costa Rica pulled out of what was scheduled to be the final round of negotiations.

Foreign Trade Minister Alberto Trejos and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick began the extra round of talks yesterday, focusing on the services trade, according to the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

Bilateral discussions are scheduled to take place throughout the week. The Ministry of Foreign Trade hopes to use this time to cover issues ranging from insurance and telecommunications to textiles and environmental rules.

However, U.S. officials have already stated that the extra talks will be used only to discuss how to open Costa Rica's service monopolies (TT, Dec. 24).

Negotiators will meet again the week of Jan. 19 to discuss the issue of sensitive agricultural products, when Costa Rican representatives plan to include members of the country's agricultural sector.

Head Costa Rican negotiator Anabel González said in December she hopes Costa Rica will sign the Central America Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in April.

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RECOPE Requests Increase
In Petroleum Prices

The Costa Rican Oil Refinery (RECOPE) wants to raise gas prices in Costa Rica by an average of 2.4%.

Citing the uncertainty of Iraq's oil output and a dramatic decrease in U.S. oil reserves, a representative of RECOPE said yesterday the state-run refinery had filed a request with the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) to raise the prices of super and regular gasoline and diesel.

The RECOPE representative said ARESEP has 15 days to study the refinery's request and make a decision, and another 15 days to publish the resolution in the government publication, La Gazeta, after which the price increase will go into effect.

RECOPE expects ARESEP to approve its proposal, according to the representative, who said the rise in prices is likely to last at least until winter passes in the north.

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Costa Rica Expects
Improved Economy

The government and private businesses of Costa Rica foresee a better economic year for 2004, with greater growth, less inflation, the expansion of exports and fiscal stability after a good economic performance in 2003 brought a 5.6% increase in the gross domestic product, more than double what was expected.

More favorable political and economic forecasts for the year to come have fostered optimism among government and private sector representatives, who look forward to the Legislative Assembly's approval of a fiscal reform package and the signing of the Central American Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States.

According to figures from the Central Bank, Costa Rica's economy grew by 5.6%, inflation ended the year at 9.5% and the central government's deficit ended at 2.8%, instead of the expected 3.1%.

Nonetheless, authorities noted the troublesome existence of imbalances, such as greater public sector debt (about $7 billion, which consumes about 40% of the budget) and Central Bank losses, among others.

Central Bank President Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez said he believes inflation will drop below 9% this year, and the economy will grow between 4% and 4.5%, which he considers satisfactory, as the population is expected to grow by 2.5%.
-AFP

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Wednesday October 26, 2005