Weekly review

First tropical storm

Alma became the first tropical storm of the hurricane season and the first ever to form on the Costa Rican Pacific Ocean. According to the National Meteorology Institute, recorded history does not show any other tropical storm “born” in Costa Rica. Even though it did not cause any fatalities on land, Alma left 21,000 victims, destroyed 1,152 homes and damaged 114 bridges and 117 stretches of road, some of which –including the southern Pan American Highway, linking Costa Rica and Panama-- were shut to traffic for at least one week. Heavy rainstorms and ensuing floods damaged large areas along the Pacific Coast. On the other hand, seven fishermen, who were caught offshore by the storm aboard very small craft, are feared to join the fatalities caused by the storm, which wrought heavy damage in Nicaragua and Honduras, too.

Isolated towns

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The National Emergency Commission reports that 90 towns are isolated as a result of floods and that their inhabitants depend on the food taken to them by helicopter. The sources add that 453 towns were hit directly by tropical storm Alma. The Government of Costa Rica declared national emergency in 23 cantons –of the 81 into which the country is divided–, in order to accelerate the allocation of relief funds.

Inflation up

The constant increases in the prices of fuels and food are the major factors behind the acceleration of inflation in recent months. In May, the year on year inflation hit 11.9 percent, as compared to May 2007. According to the National Statistics and Census Bureau, consumer prices increased by 1.91 percent just in May, taking the cumulate figure for the first five months this year to 5.08 percent. Even though the Central Bank had set a top inflation goal of 7 to 9 percent in 2008, analysts point to 11 percent as the most likely figure.

Ticos survived

Twenty-two Costa Ricans, including former Planning and Housing Minister Elio Fallas survived the crash landing of a TACA Airbus A 320 at Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. There were 133 people aboard the aircraft. The pilot and four other people were killed, including one in a car upon which the plane fell. Among the Costa Ricans, only Fallas was reported in serious condition –but recovering–, while the others survived with minor injuries or unscathed. Toncontin is regarded one of the world’s worst airports. After the accident, the Government of Honduras announced that, from now on, only small aircraft will operate at Toncontin, while larger ones will do so at Palmerola Air Force Base.

Chinatown

According to a plan promoted by the Municipality of San Jose and the Chinese-Costa Rican Chamber of Industry and Commerce, part of the southern area of the capital city of Costa Rica will be dedicated to Chinese business, food, and culture; in other words, a Chinatown in all senses. Ever since June 1st last year, when Costa Rica renewed its diplomatic relations with Beijing and severed the ones with Taiwan, there has been an evident interest of the Chinese to have an enhanced presence in this Central American nation. Just as an example, the National Stadium was demolished and the Chinese will build a modern facility, the best in Costa Rica, to house soccer –the nation’s favorite sport– and other events. Therefore, the Chinatown project is expected to develop fast.

U.S. Ambassador

Peter Ernest Cianchette is the new United States Ambassador to Costa Rica. Cianchette, who has held several positions in private business in his country, takes over the post vacated by Mark Landale last January.

Mega-marina in Limon

SolerPazos Group, a Costa Rican firm, plans to develop Isla Moin, a project that would harbor 600 condominiums, 100 villas, and over 100 houses, as well as a marina with 100 berths for yachts and mega-yachts and a de-luxe hotel. Adrian Polini, a spokesman for the firm, said that the commitment is to develop an environment-friendly project that will boost the development of the province of Limon. The major of Limon, Eduardo Barboza, said that the local government is fully aware of the meaning of the project –which involves a $150-million investment in the first stage– and that if the other institutions involve OK it, they will most likely follow suit with the final approval.

Western Union expands here

With the expansion of its Global Service Center in Costa Rica, the firm will increase its payroll from 650 to 1,200, according to Christian Rodriguez, the operations vice-president here. Ten years ago, Western Union settled here with a small call center, operated by 33 people and covering Latin America and the Caribbean. Now the services are offered in eight languages and cover the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.