Central American Capital in the U.S.

The EB-5 Visa, which encourages investment in the United States with a minimum amount of $500,000, could summon more Central American investors.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Recently, the Costa Rican company Florida Ice and Farm acquired the North American company North American Breweries, for about $388 million, while another group of Costa Rican investors acquired an Office Center project in Phoenix for $12 million.

These transactions could be seen as indicating a change in FDI flows between the region and the U.S., traditionally dominated by U.S. investment in Central America. Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) is part of the strategy of the U.S. government to exit the economic stagnation brought about by the financial crisis of 2008.

The EB-5 program is in the center of this strategy, and gives a "green card" residency in the country for those who invest more than $1 million or more than $500,000 in certain rural areas.

News.co.cr interviewed Mack Reid, director of the Business Plan Institute, who said that one of the most challenging aspects of this visa program is the business plan and the job creation requirements.

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Costa Rica and US Trade Policy

September 2016

According to Moody's Costa Rica is one of the economies that could be affected significantly if after the presidential elections the U.S. decides to restrict its international trade policy.

From a press release by Moody´s:

New York, September 22, 2016 -- Mexico (A3 negative) and Costa Rica (Ba1 negative) are among the most exposed economies in the Americas, if the US (Aaa stable) were to shift toward a retrenchment from trade and investment ties after the November presidential elections, according to a report by Moody's Investors Service. Canada is less exposed since it does not benefit from the low labor costs that incentivized the offshoring of manufacturing operations.

Florida Ice & Farm Buys Brewery in USA

October 2012

Cerveceria Costa Rica, a subsidiary of Florida Ice and Farm, has agreed to buy, at a cost of $388 million, North American Breweries Holdings, the largest independent brewer in the U.S.

A statement from Florida Ice and Farm reads:

The Costa Rican company Florida Ice and Farm Co., SA ("FIFCO") announced today that its subsidiary Cerveceria Costa Rica, SA ("CCR") has signed an agreement to purchase North American Breweries Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries ("NAB"), the largest independent brewer in the United States, owned by KPS Capital Partners, LP for $388 million. The closing of the transaction is subject to requirements laid out in a competition defense notification by Hart-Scott-Rodinoy to be reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.

Pops Ice Cream Chain Expands

March 2012

The Costa Rican firm has announced the opening of more stores in U.S. and Costa Rica.

Last February, the Pops ice cream chain opened its first branch in Miami measuring around 100 m2 and with an investment of $500,000. This was an initial step, because as well as operating this site in a mall in Pembroke Pines, it plans to open two more ice cream parlours in Florida during 2012.

Costa Rica: Pops Ice Cream Enters the U.S.

January 2011

American Ice Cream Co., owner of Pops, opened its first outlet in Palm Beach, Florida.

Sergio Abreu, president of the company, said the opening of the premises required an investment of $ 300,000. The company plans to open two additional locations in Florida this year.

"Abreu said there are discussions with American businessmen in the country to open another outlet in Washington DC," reported Nacion.com.

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