U.S. Airways Coming
To Liberia Airport

U.S. Airways will officially inaugurate its daily flights to and from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in the northwestern city of Liberia tomorrow.

The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) said in a statement that the airline, the seventh largest of the United States , now operates daily flights between San José and Charlotte , North Carolina , as well as Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Strong demand for flights to Costa Rica prompted the airline to double its operations, the statement said. 

U.S. Airways will now offer daily flights between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and San José, and weekend flights between Charlotte and Liberia . In addition, its San José-Charlotte flights will now be daily for a new total of 18 weekly flights, the statement said.

Mutual Alajuela Donations for
Flood Victims Exceed $26,000

Joining the outpour of generosity toward the victims of severe flooding in the Caribbean slope in January, Mutual Alajuela financial institution used monetary donations it collected to buy gas for cooking stoves and bottled water that government emergency officials will deliver to affected communities.

The cost of the supplies was nearly ¢6 million ($13,000), and they were delivered to emergency officials this week.

More than $26,000 was raised by the company and its employees, customers and others who deposited donations into an account at the institution. The remaining $13,000 will be handed over the National Emergency Commission (CNE), which has coordinated the relief efforts in the aftermath of the disaster.

“We are very pleased with this group effort that reflects the team spirit of our employees and clients. We are thankful for the trust they have placed in us and we acknowledge in a very special way the work of the CNE in coordinating the aid,” said Mutual Alajuela assistant director Mayela Rojas in a statement.

China Boosts Region's Trade
Without Diplomatic Relations

Panama City (EFE) – Despite the absence of diplomatic relations between China and the nations of the isthmus, the eastern nation has seen a vigorous expansion of its economic relations with Central Ame rica and Panama , whose canal it uses extensively.

The Chinese presence in Panama highlights China 's silent penetration of Central Ame rica , whose countries maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan , considered a rebel province by Beijing .

For more than a decade, Panama and China have maintained trade offices in each other's capitals and bilateral trade has expanded, with the balance of trade favoring China .

Chinese exports to Panama have grown from $44.8 million in 2001 to $35 million in the first half of last year alone. Panama 's exports to Asia 's largest economy have also grown rapidly, rising from $7.2 million in 2002 to $17.3 million in 2003.

China 's influence in Panama looms especially large in the canal, with the Asian nation ranking as the second-biggest user of the waterway, trailing the United States and ahead of Japan , Chile , Korea and Peru .

With the exception of Honduras , which does not have trade relations with China , the Asian giant's trade with each of the Central Ame rica n countries has been rising steadily.

In 2003, Costa Rica 's exports to China totaled $85.22 million, with that figure skyrocketing to $140.13 million in 2004, an increase of 64 percent. Chinese exports to Costa Rica , meanwhile, surged from $160.2 million in 2003 to $239.8 million in 2004, a rise of 49 percent.

Trade between China and El Salvador has tended to favor the former in recent years.

In 2003, Chinese exports to El Salvador totaled $138 million, while the Central Ame rica n nation's sales to China came in at some $60 million.

Guatemala exported a total of $3 million to China in 2003, while its imports from the Asian nation totaled $76 million, generating a trade deficit of $73 million.

Trade relations between China and Nicaragua are not well developed, with Managua granting restricted visas to Chinese businessmen who want to work in the Central American nation.