[dailyarchive/2005_01/exchange_rates.htm]
Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, January 26, 2005
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Flood Costs Still Mounting,
Rest of Country Helps Pay Bill
The weather hasn't given Caribbean-slope residents a break, so the rest of the country has rallied to the aid of the tens of thousands left temporarily homeless in past weeks after floods ravaged the northeastern plains and the Caribbean coast.
(Click for more)
President Pacheco Visits Ecuador
For Banana Exporters Conference
Quito (AFP) – Upon arriving in Ecuador yesterday for a summit of Latin American banana-producing countries, Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco emphasized the need for the countries to reach an agreement in the face of the European Union's decision to raise tariffs on the fruit.
(Click for more)
Honduras, Costa Rica Have
Region's Highest Gas Prices
Guatemala (EFE) – Honduras and Costa Rica continue to have the highest gasoline prices in Central America, despite reductions in December, while El Salvador has the lowest gas prices, a regional Guatemalan economic source informed yesterday.
(Click for more)
January 26
Setting Limits – A Workshop
for Mothers
The National Women's Institute (INAMU), is offering a forum to help women raise their kids, 2-4:30 p.m., Barrio La California, 100 m east, 75 south of the Nicaraguan Embassy in San José. Info: 233-7895.
Women's Club Tea Parties
The Women's Club starts 2005 with its traditional neighborhood tea parties for members and friends. Tea starts at 2:30 pm., Jan. 26, east of San José; Feb.2, Coronado, Guadalupe, Moravia, Tibás; Feb.9, Rohrmoser, Pavas, Sabana, La Uruca; Feb.16, Escazú, Bello Horizonte; Feb. 23, Santa Ana, Ciudad Colón. Info: Call Anne at 267-7042.
“Recreo Grande” Camp
Camp for kids 8-12 years old. It will be televised and presented on the children's Costa Rican TV show “Recreo Grande.” Jan. 26-28, Campamento Bautista, San Rafael, Alajuela. Info: 210-1268, 818-3702.
Edited By María Gabriela Díaz
Tico Times Staff
mgdiaz@ticotimes.net
Flood Costs Still Mounting,
Rest of Country Helps Pay Bill
By Robert Goodier
Tico Times Staff
rgoodier@ticotimes.net
The weather hasn't given Caribbean-slope residents a break, so the rest of the country has rallied to the aid of the tens of thousands left temporarily homeless in past weeks after floods ravaged the northeastern plains and the Caribbean coast.
TV Channel 7 and state and private banks collected donations in a special account for the National Emergency Commission (CNE), and yesterday announced they had raised nearly ¢280 million ($609,000), a CNE official told The Tico Times.
Channel 7, Banco Nacional and the emergency commission will form a committee to decide the best way to distribute the funds among those displaced and affected by the flood.
Thousands who left their homes after a record-breaking downpour Jan. 8 flooded more than 200 communities throughout the region have slowly left temporary shelters, though continuing showers have engorged rivers and offered no respite.
Monday and yesterday the weather offered a truce, but as of last night more than 600 people remained in shelters, emergency officials reported.
The losses mount daily. CNE President Luis Diego Morales estimated costs at ¢34 billion ($94.4 million), including ¢15 billion ($32.6 million) in damage to banana plantations, ¢8.5 billion ($18.4 million) in damage to other crops, and ¢10 billion ($21.7 million) in road and bridge damage, among other losses.
“They're many millions of colones that we don't have. So the losses are considerable,” Morales said.
See The Tico Times print or PDF edition this Friday for the full story.
President Pacheco Visits Ecuador
For Banana Exporters Conference
Quito (AFP) – Upon arriving in Ecuador yesterday for a summit of Latin American banana-producing countries, Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco emphasized the need for the countries to reach an agreement in the face of the European Union's decision to raise tariffs on the fruit.
“We, the Latin American banana-producing countries, are trying to develop a joint proposal. We have to act before Europe as a united front and we must reach an agreement,” said Pacheco, the first head of state to arrive in Ecuador for today's conference.
After the conference, which is scheduled to conclude at noon today with the signing of the “Quito Declaration,” Pacheco will remain in the capital until Thursday on an official visit and will meet with Ecuadorian President Lucio Gutiérrez.
Pacheco will also be decorated by Congress and declared an Illustrious Guest by Quito's mayor, Paco Moncayo.
Also expected at today's conference are the Presidents of Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia and Ecuador, and the Vice-President of Honduras, Vicente Williams.
The European Union announced in November 2004 that it plans to eliminate its current system of quotas and increase the tariff on Latin American banana imports from 75 euros, the current level, to 230 euros. This decision has caused consternation among regional banana producers (TT, Nov. 26, 2004).
Costa Rica exported 102 million boxes (18.14 kilograms per box) of the fruit last year, of which it sent 50% to the European Union.
Honduras, Costa Rica Have
Region's Highest Gas Prices
Guatemala (EFE) – Honduras and Costa Rica continue to have the highest gasoline prices in Central America, despite reductions in December, while El Salvador has the lowest gas prices, a regional Guatemalan economic source informed yesterday.
The price of a gallon (3.78 liters) of “super” gas is $2.85 in Honduras, while regular gasoline is $2.80 and diesel is $2.33, according to the Guatemala-based Central American Economic Integration Secretariat (SIECA).
According to the study, the price of “super” has been reduced by 5.45% since December, regular by 6.05% and diesel, 4.66%.
In Costa Rica, “super” costs $2.83 per gallon, 2.71% less than last December, regular $2.71 (2.52% less) and diesel $2.03 (2.64% less).
Gas prices in Guatemala remain the same: $2.58 per gallon of “super,” $2.52 for regular and $2.18 for diesel.
In El Salvador, a gallon of super is $2.25, regular $2.14 and diesel is $2.08.
According to SIECA, Nicaraguan gas prices have not varied either, “super” remains at $2.56 per gallon, regular $2.48 and diesel $2.33.
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