President Laura Chinchilla
I don’t know if it is just me, but it seems like every time you turn around Costa Rica is having some sort of labor strike.
Last Monday, about 2000 union workers of Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) (government monopoly on power and light company) went on strike, and snarled traffic on several major streets in and around San Jose. They were protesting a bill in the Legislative Assembly to privatize the generation of electricity.
And back in July a meeting was held between the union and officials of the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) over a strike that centered on reduction of benefits.
So … what could this be telling us?
First, let go to the political party of National Liberation Party, in which ex President Óscar Arias (May 2006-2010) and current President Laura Chinchilla are political members. The National Liberation Party supports [to a point] privatization, which has only been tolerable by unions in this small but creditable Central American country. After Arias, many were saying [because of privatization] it would put an end to National Liberation Party’s, needless to say, they were proven wrong when Chinchilla was voted in, keeping the party in power until 2014. Its evident both were voted into power to help reduce government waste and to promote economical growth. Read more... (719 words, 2 images, estimated 2:53 mins reading time)
One of the biggest bummers in Costa Rica is their infamous import tax, a horrendous tax that is applied to so-called luxury items, such as boats, vehicles and electronics. A tax that makes these items VERY expensive. Anyone that has tried to import a vehicle knows how a $10,000 vehicle can quickly become a major investment and/or headache.
However, this week may have changed that. It is no secret that China has been wining and dining Costa Rica politicians for some time now and has forked out mucho dinero for such projects as a Chinatown in San Jose.
In April 2010 Costa Rica signed a free trade agreements with China, before this agreement the US accounted for almost half of Costa Rica imports. China is Costa Rica’s second largest trading partner and for the last five years has been dumping billions into Costa Rica by investments, bonds and aid, including a new soccer stadium.
However, last week (May 31st) lawmakers on passed a final version of Costa Rica’s Free Trade Agreement with China (CFTA). According to Foreign Trade Minister Anabel González this will help improve the lives of Costa Ricans by generating more jobs, consolidating access for products exported to China and expanding options for consumers. Read more... (675 words, 2 images, estimated 2:42 mins reading time)
The ICE Monopoly may have its problems providing a good customer service.
Beginning this week the new Apple, iPhone G4 will start selling in Costa Rica. Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) the state’s telephone, and Internet monopoly, officially became the NEW monopoly distributor and exclusive seller for Apple’s new iPhone G4s. Retailers who have iPhones for sale in Costa Rica, unless it is an ICE authorized agent, are not authorized by Apple to sell them!
Was this a surprise, not really?
Back in Feb, 2011 we wrote how ICE has been under threat since the signing (Jan.2009) of Central American Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) when they suddenly found themselves in a competitive world of the telecom market; something they knew little about and not prepared for like the demand for high-tech phones and service.
So it wasn’t a surprise (when we also speculated in Feb) that Apple had Costa Rica in their business plan and they are preparing to open up a few more Apple Mac service Centers.
Obviously, ICE saw a big opportunely to cash in on Apple’s demanding iPhones and obviously made a sweet-heart deal. Read more... (531 words, 1 image, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)
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A couple of months ago the above question was asked in Yahoo answers, and even if we answered, “yes,” and gave our reason(s), we were totally surprised that one answered, “NO.”
Our second surprise, it was voted best answer!
Hummm … pretty clear those people had no idea of Costa Rica’s technology growth, or probably still think Costa Rica is still a, Third World Country.
Five years ago, about 5% of the country used the internet. Recently a report came out and that number has jumped to 50%. Now honestly, “What does that tell ya?”
While a relatively small and low-gross domestic product country, Costa Rica has a strong growth in IT infrastructure and it was ranked at 49 out of 102 countries in the Networked Readiness Index in the Global Information Technology Report a few years back; making it the leading Central America country in the index.
Unlike many other countries where government has IT policies Costa Rica’s technological growth is not really driven by government, rather, it is driven by the private business. Read more... (719 words, 3 images, estimated 2:53 mins reading time)
The tech race is on for smart phones in Costa Rica - Will ICE loose?
Last week (Feb 21th) something unspeakable in this day of age happened, around 800,000 Costa Rican’s cell phone users suddenly found themselves without service.
And at the same time we received a landslide of emails wondering, if this could be the beginning of the end for Instituto Costaricense de Electricidad (ICE)?
An interesting question.
ICE has been under threat since the signing (Jan.2009) of Central American Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) when they suddenly found themselves in a competitive world of the telecom market; something they knew little about and not prepared for. ICE for 50 years never had to construct any promotional and marketing strategies. Fact remained, anyone who’s ever wanted a cell phone in Costa Rica had to go through ICE’s neverending playing slot machine; a monopoly that is in jeopardy.
After a ton of paperwork, some major setbacks, two large foreign and multinational mobile phone providers, America Movil and Telefonica, prepare to offer cellphone service to Costa Rican customers and most important, with advance technology. Read more... (670 words, 1 image, estimated 2:41 mins reading time)
