Ministry Expects WB to Approve Limón-Moín Port Funds
Costa Rica's public works ministry and the Atlantic coast port and economic development authority Japdeva expect the World Bank (WB) to approve us$70 million for the Limón-Moín port development project, ministry and Japdeva sources told BNamericas.

The project entails turning Limón into a tourist port, while Moín would handle all types of cargo. The ports are the country's most important on the Atlantic.

Of the us$70 million, us$40 million would go to begin works and us$30 million for operations, the ministry source said.

Limón works would include building a passenger terminal equipped with a customs office, a duty free shop, transit areas and restaurants. "There is even a proposal to build a hotel within the port area," the Japdeva source said.

Moín's overhaul includes a usS$25 million dredging project to reach a depth of 14m, building new container areas and a new terminal with a 250m-long quay, and the purchase of cranes.

The government is also in the process of obtaining a consultancy report financed with a Swiss donation to update Moín's master plan, which has not been modified since 1995, the source added.

Although a date of when the bank could approve the financing was not available, WB project information documents report that the project is scheduled to come up for review in May.

While Costa Rica's newly elected President Oscar Arias Sánchez has stated he will promote private investment for infrastructure, port authorities have not considered this as an alternative.