Weekly review

Top world productivity

Costa Rica produced an average 2,593 boxes of bananas per hectare in 2007, thus retaining its world leadership in banana productivity. This was established by the National Banana Corporation, whose data report that productivity has been increasing in recent years. It went from 2,157 boxes in 2001 to 2,526 in 2006, before reaching last year’s all times high. In 2007, Costa Rica exported 113.5 million boxes, for $659 million.

Opening in communications

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The opening of the telecommunications market –which hitherto has been state-controlled– is but one debate away, since the Legislative Assembly approved it in a first of two votes. The new bill would allow private companies to provide cell phone and Internet services through state licenses. The legislation aims at establishing mechanisms to regulate telecommunications, the use and exploitation of networks, and the provision of related services.

India seeks alliances here

The world’s information and communications leader, India, boasts of such a high demand of computer programs and technical support services that it is seeking alliances with Costa Rican firms in order to properly handle that demand. The idea is for Costa Rican companies to take over work that Indian companies cannot handle. Thus, the skills of local system and program engineers would be taken advantage of by Indian companies, which would transfer here the production they cannot currently handle at home. Moreover, Costa Rica would serve Indian companies as a bridge to the United States, which is their ultimate goal.

$200 million in software

A survey by the Costa Rican Technology Chamber (CAMTIC) of the 500 technology firms in Costa Rica found that they are exporting $200 million worth of software a year. This is the first time that an estimate of the sales abroad by those companies is made. The Central Bank has problems to carry out such a study, because these products do not go through customs, explained CAMTIC’s Ronald Jimenez. He added that a large part of the Costa Rican production is registered abroad.

U.S. ambassador

A banker from the Northeast was nominated by President George W. Bush as the next U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica. Peter E. Cianchette, a shareholder of financial firm CHK Capital Partners, would take over the post left vacant by hotelier Marks Langdale last January if the Senate ratifies his appointment. A Republican, Cianchette ran for the Senate in 2002, but failed in his endeavor. Allegedly, he has no previous diplomatic experience, something allowed by U.S. rules for non-conflictive nations such as Costa Rica.

Rembrandt in San Jose

Forty-eight engravings by the Dutch master Rembrandt are currently exhibited in the Central Bank Museum, located in the basement of Culture Square, downtown San Jose. The 17th century originals were reproduced by the author himself from several copper plates, two of which are also displayed. The exhibit will be open through next April 6th. Visitors, who are not allowed to take pictures, are recommended to wear warm clothes, because of the low temperature at the exhibit, a must to preserve the works.

Wanted by the FBI

U.S. citizen Daniel Andreas San Diego is wanted by the FBI for “maliciously damaging and destroying, and attempting to destroy and damage, by mans of explosives, buildings and other property.” He is charged with the bombings of two buildings in California and a $250,000 reward is offered by the U.S. Government for information leading to his arrest. Apparently, San Diego is hiding somewhere in Costa Rica.

Flights to Bogota

The Colombian airline Avianca will start operating four weekly non-stop flights between Costa Rica and Bogota starting this February 29. They are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, but the South American carrier plans on further expanding operations by adding other flights, depending on authorization from the local Civil Aviation authorities.