The international shipping company DHL this week announced plans to expand its operation in Costa Rica, creating an additional 500 jobs by February 2008.

DHL Costa Rica general manager Rodrigo Quirós told the daily La República the company has been pleased with the results of the call centers it runs here and has decided to move some of its operations from the United States to Costa Rica.

The company plans to set up another call center and a department to carry out internal administrative work. DHL will be hiring about 500 people to fill these jobs, which require English and customer service skills, Quirós said.

DHL's decision was influenced by cost factors and Costa Rica's proven solid labor market, he added.

The company hopes to have this new department and center up and running by February of next year at its offices in La Aurora de Heredia, north of San José.

About 2,200 people work this office, which serves as DHL's Central American headquarters. The company grew more than 35% last year, from 800 employees to almost 1,100.