|
Currency | |
|
Dollar Exchange: | |
|
Central Bank | |
|
|  Sell ¢490.58 |
|
CR Colon: | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
US Dollar: | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 Oct 2005 | |
Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, April 2, 2004
| |
 HIGHER rates? The Ombudsman’s Office says it opposes any increase in airport fees. Tico Times/Julio Laínez | |
|
| |
|
|
Costa Rica May Receive Nearly
$1 Million in Cooperation Funds
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations yesterday announced it was the process of awarding Costa Rica $977,000 in cooperation funds to protect the country’s forests and help make its agricultural producers more competitive, according to the Casa Presidencial.
(Click for more)
Ombudsman’s Office:
Airport Fees Are Excessive
The Ombudsman’s Office announced on Wednesday it opposes the increase in airport fees requested by Alterra Partners, the consortium in charge of operating Juan Santamaría International Airport.
(Click for more)
Small Business Loans
Offered to Women in Need
Beginning this month, women living in poverty in rural areas of the country will have the opportunity to apply for small business loans of up to $2,000.
(Click for more)
April 2
Un Viejo Con Alas
Show by Melvin Méndez, 8 p.m. through April 3, at the Eugene O’Neill Theater, Costa Rican-North American Cultural Center in Barrio Dent. Info: 207-7571.
II Bach Flower Workshop
Directed by Paula Crabtree, founder of the Barcelona Bach Institute and coordinator of the International Bach Flower Education Program, Sat.-Sun., April 3-4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Hotel San Gildar in Escazú. Info: 273-5884.
Happy Easter!
Processions Around the Country
Special processions at Parque Nacional de Diversiones at Pueblo Antiguo, 3 p.m. on Palm Sunday, April 3, Jesus’ Passion, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. on Wed. April 7, Thur. April 8 and Sat. April 10, and at 3 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 11. Also renowned processions at San Joaquín de Flores, Heredia, 9 a.m. on Good Friday, April 9.
Costa Rica May Receive Nearly
$1 Million in Cooperation Funds
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations yesterday announced it was the process of awarding Costa Rica $977,000 in cooperation funds to protect the country’s forests and help make its agricultural producers more competitive, according to the Casa Presidencial.
FAO general director Jacques Diouf and Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco jointly announced the decision at FAO’s international headquarters in Rome, Italy. Pacheco is in Rome as part of a two-week trip to Europe that will also take him to the Vatican and Spain.
“The resources Costa Rica can obtain through the FAO are many,” Pacheco said. “I found the Director has the best disposition to help us in our fight against forest fires, like the one we had last week in Mount Dúrika (TT Daily Page, March 31). They are very interested in helping us develop sustainable fishing, provide assistance for small and medium businesses and provide us resources with which to promote agricultural re-conversion through technologies for our farmers.”
The cooperation funds are divided into three main projects. The largest amount, $363,000, will be used to strengthen Costa Rica’s national strategy to combat illegal logging.
An additional $314,000 will be used to help the agriculture sector prepare for the challenges that will arise if the Central America Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States goes into effect.
If CAFTA is approved, U.S. exports of all agricultural products except potatoes and onions will eventually be allowed to enter the country without paying tariffs. The liberalization periods for reducing import taxes on agricultural staples (rice, basic grains, dairy and meats) range from 15 to 20 years (TT, Jan. 30).
The third project will consist of $300,000 to strengthen the National Agricultural Innovation and Technology Transfer Institute (INTA).
Founded in 2001, the INTA’s goal is to contribute to the improvement and sustainability of the agricultural sector through the creation, innovation and sharing of technology. The institution’s main function is to conduct research on agricultural advances that could benefit Costa Rican society (TT, Feb. 13).
Ombudsman’s Office:
Airport Fees Are Excessive
The Ombudsman’s Office announced on Wednesday it opposes the increase in airport fees requested by Alterra Partners, the consortium in charge of operating Juan Santamaría International Airport.
The Omudsman’s Office sent a request to the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) requesting that it carefully review the rate readjustment, especially in terms of the cost of infrastructure.
Ombudsman José Manuel Echandí said the principle of cost of service should be respected in such a way that airport users would pay a fair rate in accordance to the quality of the service they receive.
Small Business Loans
Offered to Women in Need
Beginning this month, women living in poverty in rural areas of the country will have the opportunity to apply for small business loans of up to $2,000.
The loans will come from a ¢1.1 billion ($2.6 million) trust fund established with resources from the Mixed Institute for Social Aid (IMAS) and help from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
The goal of the trust fund is to create conditions for the creation of new small businesses by people who are typically excluded from the financial system, according to Luis Cárdenas, head of the ministry’s Rural Development Program.
Sixty percent of the funds will be used to guarantee small business loans from the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica to people who qualify under parameters set by IMAS.
IMAS will base loan approvals on poverty level as well as viability of the proposed projects. Potential business owners, who may be one woman or groups, must show their project is feasible and have previous knowledge or experience in the area.
The remaining 40% of the trust fund will be used to bring small business owners financial support and advice in technology and commercialization. This financial support will not have to be repaid.
Officials said they hope the trust fund will continue to grow.
The project was initiated in February 2002 with a contract signed by IMAS, the ministry, Banco Nacional de Costa Rica and Banco Internacional de Costa Rica.
Daily News | Home | Top Story | Business News | Central American News
Editorial Cartoon | Weekend | Exchange Rates | Fishing | Culture | Classified Ads
Display Ads | Subscribe! | Travel Guide | Archives | Links | About Us | Newsstand Locations
Contact Us
Thursday October 27, 2005