May 23, 2016
British Firm Mott Macdonald to study the best technical place to build a new airport and will come up with a recommendation within a year. The Central Bank reports that the first trimester of the year Credit to the Government has risen by 14% while that of the private sector fell by 17.3%. The Ministry of Transport and Public Works study the viability of 2 offers made to build a 2 rail connection from the Atlantic to the Pacific which would transport 15,000 containers per day. The National Power and Light Company report a loss of US$50 million last year compared to the year before. The Export and Tourism sectors ask the Central Bank to revise the value of the US Dollar as they argue that devaluations in other countries have hurt their Industries. Under a new plan the Government and Municipalities hope to collect 600 tons of recyclable residues daily by 2,021. Today the average of recyclable residues collected is of 50.4 tons. The Government and Opposition clash as to how to reduce the deficit. The Government argues that sufficient cuts have been made and new taxes should be levied while the opposition who controls the Legislative want more cuts to spending before taxes is imposed. The Police Force drags a deficit of 944 members due to retirements, resignations and firing. Training new officer’s takes up to a year and a half. 31 cases of the Zika virus are reported in the Jaco Beach resort town bringing the total number of cases to 44 since the beginning of the year. The Ministries of Education and Health warn that... leer más
May 16, 2016
54 Unions threat to strike should Congress pass new laws limiting salaries, benefits together with laws for ceasing employment from those underperforming and limiting promotions. 5 new cases of the Zika virus are reported in the suburb of Alajuelita on the west of the Greater Metropolitan Area. Health officials are going after controlling the virus the same way they had contained it in the Province of Guanacaste. Water Authorities are asking regulators to approve a 35% increase in water tariffs and a 57.5% increase in the sewer system to be done in phases so to upgrade all systems and invest in new ones. They calculate that the cost will rise to US$105 million. Hearings are set for the 30th May. The Ministry of Security together with Health Authorities has come to a conclusion that 4 out of every 10 Police Delegations need serious intervention. The Government Party together with the Left propose a 13% value added tax instead of the 15% asked for by the Government. As of this date the country only has a sales tax. 6 opposition parties who control the Legislative have said that no new taxes will be passed without a deep cut to spending. The Comptroller’s Office is to investigate The Center for Studies and Cooperative Training. Liberty Hall, also known as The Black Star Line, burnt down in Limon to a total loss. This being a Patrimonial structure of fine woods built in the 1,920s and a symbol of the Black Community. Financial Regulators have made it known that 33% of the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (State owned Bank) payroll goes to... leer más
Abr 20, 2016
While a number of Cubans are held up in the Panamanian border, African immigrants have crossed our borders illegally and have been detained. These new Immigrants have come from the Congo, Senegal and Guinea making their way to the Ivory Coast crossing the Atlantic to Brazil then through Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Panama. Other groups make their way from Spain and Portugal to Brazil and Colombia. Over 12,000 elderly people are in need of shelter, food and clothing. The Ministry of the Environment and Energy looks for a way to get rid of extremely old cars from all road as they are not only emitting a large amount of fumes but are also dangerous to the public. Tourism in the Canals of Tortuguero (North East Caribbean Coastal Areas) has suffered heavily as January and February’s rainfall has diminished as much as 75%. Japdeva (In charge of Port and Economic development on the Atlantic Coast), have admitted that there is no record of the upkeep of the Canals for the last 8 years and put at fault The National Banana Corporation with whom they had signed a contract. 1,500 hectares of wetlands are consumed by fire in the North of the country as the result of the drought. Housing projects increased by 12% last year and signs point to a further increase this year. The President warns of strict measures to be put in place if no agreement is reached on new taxes and evasion laws. The opposition insists in further necessary cuts in government spending and outrageous pension schemes and salaries. As 3 light plane accidents in less than... leer más
Abr 14, 2016
Authorities are calling for a regional meeting on a possible immigration crisis coming up once more as Cubans Accumulate in numbers at the Costa Rican Panamanian border. Water Authorities make accord with the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity in looking for water, as shortages are at a very worrying rate. There is a worrying gap in the Judicial Court System as an unlimited amount of judicial appeals accumulate. A study shows that the population has been gradually increasing in weight over the last 20 years. Last year men had a mass index of 26.5 and women had 27 when the ideal maximum is 25. A subsidiary of the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity, Racsa has accumulated US$110 million loss over the last six years. The Greater Metropolitan Area of San Jose will have increased water shortages for the next two months. Water authorities are overwhelmed as the most affected on the south side have now performed two road blockages on San Jose’s ring road. Fire Authorities worries have also increased as several outbreaks of fire on empty building lots break out. The US is to send a special mission to ease tensions in international commerce. The National Healthcare System announces that a possible 50,000 people have diabetes without even knowing. The Costa Rican Institute of Electricity has covered the losses at their subsidiary Racsa by increasing their budget and Debt Bonds. The Legislature has asked to open an enquiry. The National Coffee crop has seen an increase this year and which is put down to a better control of diseases and caring for the plantation. The Panama Papers causes... leer más
Dic 28, 2015
The Executive claims a situation of fiscal emergency so to prioritize new taxes, Finance Minister states that the coming six months shall be testing. leer más
Dic 28, 2015
Public Education Minister plans to create new goals in all private universities making their Degrees of higher standards. Education, Medicine and Construction Engineering being targeted the first. leer más
