During the first quarter of the year, the Central American countries allocated $ 28 million to the purchase of copper wire abroad, 38% more than that reported in the same period of 2017.
Data from the Copper Wire market information system in Central America, from the CentralAmericaData Commercial Intelligence Area: [GRAFICA caption="Clic para interactuar con la gráfica"]
In the first nine months of 2017, companies in Costa Rica imported $51 million worth of copper wire, 30% less than was reported in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Copper Wire Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Between January and November of 2017, countries in the region imported $58 million worth of copper wire, and 88% was acquired by companies in Costa Rica.
Figures from the information system on the the Copper Wire Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Between 2015 and 2016 the total volume of imported copper wire in Central America increased by 9%, going from 16 thousand tons to 18 thousand tons.
Figures from the information system on the the Copper Wire Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad is inviting bids for the supply of materials for improvement of the copper network.
Costa Rica Government Purchase 2014LA-000009-4402 :
"Materials for improvements to Copper Network (delivery on demand)."
Among the materials to be supplied are: galvanized steel clamps, telephone wires, steel belts, anti-slip iron covers, copper cables and telephone cables.
Claro reported losses of $ 4.2 million so far this year.
Until September 1,204 cases of stolen materials have been reported, six times the 184 reported in the same period of 2009.
La Prensa Grafica reported statements from Hector Ortiz, operations manager of Claro, "Due to recurrent incidents, the telephony company stated they have decided not to provide more land-line service in areas where theft of materials has occurred more than 10 times, as is the case of tourist area of La Libertad and the Apopa rural area."