The unemployment rate now reaches 10% in a population where 60% of workers have not completed high school, but teachers refuse to be evaluated on their ability in subjects they teach.
EDITORIAL
An article in Nacion.com cites statements by Victor Morales, Minister of Labour, on the rising unemployment levels in Costa Rica: "...There is a mismatch between supply and demand in the corporate sector. There is a demand for skilled technicians; but most of the Costa Rican labor force is unskilled. 60% have not finished high school; it is a national drama. "
The private sector has pointed to the fact that the government lacks clarity and a strategy for productivity and creating conditions for employment.
Constant closures show lack of confidence
The Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Businesses (UCCAEP) said this morning that the rise in unemployment due to recent closures is a national concern which warrants a declaration of emergency.
The business sector in Nicaragua has suggested that in addition to inflation and economic growth the level of productivity of workers should be taken into account when defining salary adjustments.
According to employers the current legislation has not been changed in 10 years, therefore the method for making adjustments to wages does not reflect the changes that have been experienced in the production structures in companies.
The cement company has announced it will be investing $35 million over three years to increase the production capacity by 25% at the plant it operates in Costa Rica, near the border with Nicaragua.
From a statement issued by CEMEX:
MONTERREY, MEXICO - CEMEX, SAB de CV ("CEMEX") (BMV: CEMEXCPO) announced today that its subsidiary CEMEX Latam Holdings, SA ("CLH") (BVC: CLH) initiated a project to increase cement production capacity of its plant in Colorado, Costa Rica, by approximately 25% in order to reach an annual capacity of 1.1 million tonnes in 2017.
Added to the production costs assumed by Salvadoran sugarcane growers during the harvest is expenditure to be made on private security and support for the police to prevent theft and extortion.
Sugarcane growers have allocated a budget for additional security costs which must be assumed due to increased threats and extortion by criminals.
Mario Salaverría, president of the Sugar Association of El Salvador, told Elsalvador.com that "...
Ornamental plants are part of agricultural export products to be exhibited from 12 to 13 March 2015 in the trade fair Agritrade & Expo 2015, to be held in Antigua.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (-AGEXPORT-):
In order to meet the demand for new market niches, the Commission on Ornamental Plants at AGEXPORT is inviting farmers to participate in the agricultural platform AGRITRADE Expo & Conference, an event which will be held on 12 and 13 March 2015 in Santo Domingo Hill, Antigua Guatemala, as there will be very high level buyers who are interested in the sector.
With a new production plant for concrete and slurry and the elimination of the plant at San Juan Opico, Holcim has increased its production capacity to 400 cubic meters per hour.
With the new plant 130 cubic meters of concrete will be produced per hour in one of the towers, while in the other 90 cubic meters of slurry will be produced per hour, with the option to also produce concrete, as demand requires.
The private sector argues that the lack of a drainage network which is appropriate for the growing City infrastructure is affecting the development of business.
The current storm system in the metropolitan area dates from 1940 and is the cause of recurring floods in the rainy season, causing productivity problems for businesses and affecting traffic on the main roads of the capital.
Production went from 30 bushels per acre in the 2000-01 harvest to 23 in 2013, well below the current global average of 30 bushels.
Currently the average coffee harvest in Costa Rica is 23 bushels per acre, and in some areas of the country the average has fallen to as little as 15 bushels of fruit per hectare.
Nacion.com reports that "... The main cause of this problem is the age of the coffee plants.
In the view of entrepreneurs it is not enough to change the energy mix towards the renewable sources and they are proposing a long term strategy in order to compete in the region.
A proposal to create a long-term policy between business and government "..." where the private sector makes a commitment to invest in renewable energy and this energy somehow, goes to those great industries that generate employment in the country, such as the free zone ', said César Zamora, country manager of the energy company IC Power .
According to the Inter-American Development Bank, broadband access increases company productivity and allows access to more and better information helping decisions to be made efficiently and at less cost.
From a statement issued by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB):
Companies that have adopted broadband operations have increased their productivity by 10 percent on average, according to the McKinsey Global Institute.
Guatemala has reported a productivity of 101.68 tons of sugarcane per hectare, followed by Honduras and El Salvador, reaching levels of 93.47 and 89.94, respectively.
During the harvest from November 2012 - June 2013, Guatemala achieved a productivity of 10.57 tonnes of sugar per hectare (TSH), higher than that achieved by producers neighbors El Salvador and Honduras which achieved TSH of 10.55 and 10,03, respectively.
Starting October the private sector and government will be working together to implement measures to improve the competitiveness and productivity of the economy.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Business Sector (UCCAEP):
The Costa Rican Union of Chambers and Associations of Private Enterprises (UCCAEP) and the Executive have agreed to the formation of a council to facilitate the coordination and monitoring of public policies on competitiveness, innovation and employment.
The identification of the complete sequence of the 22 chromosomes of Arabica coffee can be used as a basis for improving other coffee varieties and their adaptation to climate change.
From a statement issued by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB):
ARMENIA, Colombia - Today the complete sequence of the 22 chromosomes of coffee has been announced which aims to accelerate the process of selecting plants that respond to local climatic conditions and the specific needs of coffee farmers. The information available for public access, was announced to delegates from various coffee producing countries within the framework of the second regional workshop on climate change and coffee growing in the Conference of the Association for Science and Information on Coffee.
The waiting times for export products passing through customs offices in El Salvador increased from 2.8 days on average in 2011 to 4.7 days in 2013.
From a statement by Competitividadelsalvador.org:
The Business Competitiveness Survey (ECE) was conducted for the third time, in which employers provide information on obstacles and opportunities in ten areas critical to compete globally.