Due to restrictions on mobility, the increase in online shopping and changes in consumer habits, the volume of international and local package movements in Costa Rica is showing an upward trend.
Due to the spread of covid-19, Costa Rican authorities decided to restrict people's mobility and impose social distancing measures. These factors were determining factors for consumers to begin changing their purchasing habits.
In Costa Rica, the Chamber of Commerce opposes the agreement signed between the rice sector and the government, which maintains the fixing of the price and the 35% tariff on grain imports.
The decision was made on August 23rd in the framework of the meeting in which the National Production Council (CNP), the National Rice Corporation (CONARROZ) and the Ministries of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) and Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) participated.
Following an appeal filed by the importing company La Maquila Lama with the Costa Rican authorities, the government decided to reduce the additional tax on sugar purchased abroad from 34.27% to 27.68%.
With the reduction decreed by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC), a decision that was published on August 18 in The Gazette, the total tax applied to imported sugar will be 72.68% (45% original plus 27.68% of the safeguard), which is slightly less than the 79.27% (45% original plus 34.27%), which was in force until before the enacted amendment.
Setting a maximum usury rate and preventing clients from getting into debt to the extent of reducing their income below the minimum wage line are some of the changes that have arisen due to the application of the new law that has been in force since June 20.
On June 20, 2020 the Usury Law was published in the scope number 150 to La Gaceta number 147, which establishes the methodology to be used to set the maximum interest rate, from which the crime of usury will be considered to exist, details an official statement.
Arguing that the unusual growth in sugar imports is harming local production, the Alvarado administration decided to raise the tariff on products entering Costa Rica from 45% to 73% for a three-year period.
The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) concluded the investigation requested by the Agricultural Industrial League of Sugar Cane (LAICA) and 4 mills, on the safeguard measure against imports of solid state, granulated sugar, known as white sugar, used for domestic and industrial consumption, justifying a deterioration in the main economic indicators of the National Production Branch (RPN), details an official statement dated June 15.
Hoteliers believe that the government's recommendation to return the full amount to guests who had rooms reserved, who for the moment will not be able to enjoy the service because of the health crisis, is unworkable.
A report by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) details that consumers have the right to a refund or rescheduling without penalty, as opposed to cancellation of reservations at the national or international level.
The authorities plan to regulate the prices of disinfectant soaps in tablet or liquid form, disinfectant sprays, liquid alcohol, alcohol gels and disinfectant towels.
According to official statistics, up to March 16, 41 cases of people infected with the coronavirus had been reported, and another 615 patients who were examined were found to be negative.
Arguing that there are justified reasons to increase the price of pile of rice, in Costa Rica the Alvarado administration authorized a 1.9% increase in the final price to the consumer.
With the increase decreed by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC), the price per kilo will rise from $1.06 to $1.08, for the variety with 20% broken grain, also known as 80/20.
Arguing that local production must be protected, Costa Rican sugar manufacturers demand that, in addition to the 45% common levy already charged on imported sugar, an additional tariff must be imposed.
The request was made by Liga Agricola Industrial de la Caña de Azucar (Laica) to the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC), as businessmen claim that there is an exponential growth in sugar imports in recent years, which has put in check the Costa Rican sugar cane sector.
The supermarket chain accuses the Ministry of Economy of Costa Rica of not carrying out adequate controls to avoid the practice of selling rice with another product added as a gift, known as bandeo.
The practice reported by the supermarket chain before the Contentious-Administrative Court on June 20, in which the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) is accused of not controlling it, is known as "bandeo" and is prohibited by a decree that has been in force since April 4, 2017.
Building on own land and keeping premiums in a trust are part of the new requirements to be met by companies that market houses and apartments in Costa Rica.
According to representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce, the new rules that would soon enter into force and seek to regulate term sales in the real estate sector are currently in the consultation process with interested parties.
In Costa Rica, importing companies are against the ArcelorMittal proposal, which consists of raising the steel rod income tax from 1% to 15%.
On November 5th, a public audience was held in which importing companies and ArcelorMittal presented their arguments before the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) regarding the proposal to raise the import tariff on steel rod by 14%.
In Costa Rica, Walmart has agreed to buy the supermarket chains Perimercados, Súper Compro and the Saretto store, until now owned by Grupo Empresarial de Supermercados.
Walmart Mexico and Central America reported that the transaction was presented on July 19 to the Commission for the Promotion of Competition (Coprocom), which must evaluate and authorize it.
In Costa Rica a hotel entrepreneur is confronting the Solis government, after it warned that companies carrying out commercial promotions in alliance with Uber will be penalized.
EDITORIAL
Can it be that businesspeople in Costa Rica nowhave to consult the government to validate their marketing plans and strategies for their products and services?
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