In the first quarter of 2020, just before the crisis generated by covid-19 began, there were 72,972 formal businesses registered in Costa Rica. In the second quarter the figure fell 6% and by September there was a slight recovery.
Data from the Costa Rican Social Security Fund indicate that between the first and second quarters of the year the number of registered companies fell from 72,972 to 68,946.
Tony Roma's decided to close its operations in the country as of January 17, adding to the recent restaurant closures that have been reported in recent months.
According to signs placed at Tony Roma's restaurant in San Rafael de Escazu, the closure is due to a remodeling, however, according to letters given to the former workers, the reason for the dismissal is because of the closure of the business in the country.
The German company, Amoena, reported that it will close its operations in the country, arguing that its main textile suppliers moved their operations to Asia and need to get closer to that market.
The company is a producer of bras, bathing suits and other products for women who have suffered from breast cancer and underwent mastectomies.
Despite efforts by the new owners to keep the company afloat, the Yanber Corporation has decided to stop operations at the flexible packaging factory in Costa Rica.
Burger King Costa Rica has announced the closure of 29 restaurants operating in the country, after a decision was taken by shareholders and the franchisor BKC US.
Since February the franchise has closed four of its stores in the metropolitan area, citing a lack of financial viability. See: "More Fast Food Closures in Costa Rica".
The company founded on Costa Rican capital, Jack's Foods, has announced that within five years it will transfer 50% of its production activities to Nicaragua, El Salvador and the United States.
From a statement issued by Alimentos Jack's:
Alimentos Jack's, a company founded on 100% Costa Rican capital, has decided to continue its expansion outside of Costa Rica and is planning to transfer 50% of its operations within five years, to the United States, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
The country which used to stand out in the region because of its good relative level of economic, social and educational development, is accelerating its march downhill in terms of productive competitiveness, income distribution and training.
EDITORIAL
A national entrepreneur's comments about how his half a century old company has no market problems and is in full swing in the phase of increasing investment, but can no longer keep production in the country because Costa Rica "has become very expensive and high risk", is confirmation of the march downhill of the real economy.
Noting high production costs, Incesa has announced the closure in Costa Rica of its sanitary ware manufacturing plant, and its installation in Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Incesa Standard, a subsidiary of the Colombian company Corona, will start closure of operations gradually over the first six months of the year. The company argues that in the production process costs for labor and energy are very high, preventing the continued operation of the plant in the country.
The restaurant chain Bagelmen's has closed seven stores which had been operating in the country for fourteen years, in addition to the recent closure of Wendy's, which closed its doors in early January.
Bagelmen's is the second large fast food chain which has closed its operations in the country this year. The closure of seven premises located in San Pedro, Lindora, Rohrmoser, Sabanilla, Heredia, Escazú and Guinoes, was announced by the owners of the company on January 24, without providing further details.
Citing unprofitability the investment group owner of the US franchise Wendy's has announced the closure of its operations in the country.
From a statement issued by Comidas Rápidas Wentica S.A. (Wendy's Costa Rica):
Comidas Rápidas Wentica S.A., operator of the restaurant chain Wendy's Costa Rica, under the principle of responsibly to shareholders, has decided to close its 10 stores in the country permanently, citing reduced the chain's profitability, due to the fact that Costa Rica is the third country in the world in terms of the number of restaurants per square kilometer.
A company producing polyethylene products has closed part of its operation in Costa Rica due to the high cost of production in the country and transferred its factory which is now operating in Nicaragua.
The high costs that firms have to incur to produce competitively in the country is the main reason behind the partial closure of the Yanber company's operations in Costa Rica and its transfer to Nicaragua.
The company has announced the phased closure of the operation in the country and the laying off of 1,500 workers over a period of 9-12 months.
In addition to the service center specializing in finance and technology in Costa Rica, the U.S. bank will also cease operations in the Philippines and Mexico, as part of an overall process of re structuring of the company.
A financial company that operates an online exchange system beyond the control of national governments, is being accused of laundering $6 billion.
Elnuevoherald.com reports that "The founder of an internet service for funds transfers has been arraigned in United States along with six other people in a money laundering case of an astonishing magnitude, totalling $6 billion, said the authorities on Tuesday.
Conflicting decisions by the courts have discouraged investment by the firm Cementos David in Costa Rica.
The company Comcoas Inc. (Cementos David), has ceased operations on Monday, citing the "legal uncertainty" of the country.
Since opening in 2007, Cementos David has faced a number of law suits over its alleged illegal operation permits and environmental pollution, which were filed by residents of San Rafael de Alajuela.
Out of control piracy and the growth of Internet use, are literally killing traditional stores where CD's, DVD's, movies and video games used to be bought.
In an article about the stark reality prevalent in El Salvador, Karla Argueta examines the changes taking place in the music and entertainment industry, providing analysis that can be extrapolated to apply throughout Central America.
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