Central Bank: Big BrotherMonday, April 5, 2010 As in Orwell’s fable, Central Banks assume the task of deciding who, among equals, “is more equal than others”. Paul Laurent Solís analyzed the anathema that has become the label “tax haven”, and remarked the role Central Banks have assumed in Central American economies, especially when they become tools for whichever government that happens to be in power. Agreement for Direct Flights Between France and PanamaMonday, July 29, 2013 The agreement will allow Air France to start three weekly direct flights between the capitals of the two countries in November. Elsiglo.com reports: "The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, from France, and Panamanian Foreign Minister, Fernando Nunez Fabrega at the Palace Quai D'Orsay in Paris, home of the French Foreign Ministry, as part of the tour that the Panamanian foreign minister is conducting in Europe ". Price of Cocoa Rose 24% In 2013Wednesday, December 18, 2013 It is estimated that in 2014 it will rise by another 14% due to growth in global demand, specifically generated in Asia. An article by Bloomberg.com reports that "global cocoa stocks are on route to having the most prolonged deficit in more than 50 years as demand for chocolate soars in Asia." Costa Rica threatened by PoliticsTuesday, March 18, 2014 Lack of clear leadership, internal chaos in the main political parties and parliamentary fragmentation are threatening Costa Rica's business climate. Contradictory statements over the legal certainty of the project for a mega container port in Moin ($1 billion), made by the very probable next president of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solis, and the founder of his party (Citizen Action) and deputy chief of the legislative group, Otton Solis have generated understandable alarm in the business community. Security of Investments in Costa RicaTuesday, June 10, 2014 While on his U.S. tour the new president Solis is looking to dispel uncertainties about the economic direction of the country and the treatment to be given to foreign investment. An article on Estrategiaynegocios.net reports that President Luis Guillermo Solis said "... I would like to bring the message that Costa Rica remains a reliable destination for foreign investment despite recent investment losses by Intel and Bank of America." Costa Rica: No to Geothermal Resources in Protected AreasMonday, December 15, 2014 President Solis has rejected the possibility of harnessing geothermal energy in national parks describing their exploitation as "unnecessary". While discussions continue at the national roundtable on energy which will supposedly inform the government and the public of its findings in the month of March, President Solis has already ruled out the use of geothermal energy in protected areas. Nicaragua: $ 2 Million for Labor LawsFriday, October 8, 2010 The amount donated by the U.S. is for project "Better Work" which links the application of labor laws and international trade opportunities. The Secretary of Labor of the United States, Hilda Solis, said that with this project, "Nicaragua joins the countries which accept what is considered a gold standard for the enforcement of labor rights in the textile and clothing sector." Costa Rica: Use of digital signature starts in March 2009Tuesday, December 9, 2008 It is expected that public and private banks will start to distribute the first digital certificates in March 2009. These certificates are a part of the digital signing process which includes the creation of a complex system in which digital signatures will have the same validity as physical signature. Costa Rica Awards Road Maintenance ContractsFriday, April 16, 2010 Conavi, the National Road Council. awarded 19 out of 22 road maintenance contracts. 15 were awarded to Constructora Hernán Solís ($142 million), three to Constructora Meco ($34 million) and one to Grupo Orosi ($13 million). Three contracts are still to be awarded. There is strength in unionMonday, November 24, 2008 An analysis of the Forum on the Future of Democracy in Central America organized by the Kellogg Institute from the University of Notre Dame. Panelists included the ex-president of Honduras, Ricardo Maduro, Nicaraguan Ambassador to the US, Arturo Cruz, ex-presidential candidate in Costa Rica, Otton Solis. Luis Cosenza moderated the forum. He was Maduro's right hand man during his administration. Costa Rica's Diplomatic OutburstWednesday, September 21, 2016 Mimicking countries in the Bolivarian Alliance by snubbing the president of Brazil in the UN confirms the ideological inconsistency of a government that on the one hand has ministers who support free international trade and others who practice blatant protectionism. EDITORIAL Costa Rica: 60% of Contracts Go To One Construction CompanyThursday, September 5, 2013 Most road maintenance contracts awarded by the National Roads Authority go to the company Hernán Solís. Semanariouniversidad.ucr.cr reports that "Of the 22 maintenance contracts given by Conavi around the country, this firm were awarded 13, ie 60% of all projects. In total the company has received maintenance contracts worth over $133.4 million. Forum in Guatemala on the financial crisisMonday, November 10, 2008 The Central American Master's Program in Social Sciences presents the forum on the "Global Financial Crisis and its consequences to Central America." Paulo de Leon, CABI; Carlos Martinez, UNDP consultant; Carlos Gonzalez, ASIES and Ricardo Barrientos, Finance Minister will be the speakers at the meeting to be held on Thursday, November 13 at the FLACSO campus in Guatemala at 6 pm. Nicaragua boosts exports to US by 18 percentMonday, June 30, 2008 Nicaragua's exports to the United States rose by 18 percent in this year's first quarter, compared with the same period of last year. Paul Trivelli, the US ambassador to Managua, said the increase was a result of the introduction of Cafta. Nicaragua exported goods worth US$417 million to the United States in the first quarter. Costa Rica: the dollar won't go lowerFriday, April 25, 2008 For Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez, President of the Central Bank of Costa Rica, the pressures that have been holding the price of the dollar down will soon begin to let up. Larger purchases by Recope, lower speculative capital flows and a smaller increase in exports are the elements which, in the opinion of the bank, could offset the downward pressur and make the exchange rate start to rise. |
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