Chinese Goods Popular,
But Have Mixed Images in
Costa Rica
Chinese-made products
are generally cheap and
popular in Costa Rica,
but have mixed images.
Many Costa Rican
consumers say that
Chinese products enjoy a
big demand because of
their affordability.
Electronics,
refrigerators, toys,
cars, clothing, food and
furniture are among the
broad range of Chinese
products filling Costa
Rican stores.
"I like Chinese products
because they are pretty
long lasting,"said
Ileana Castro, about the
durability and low
prices attracted her to
Chinese-made decorations
and utensils.
Housewife Lidiette
Morales, 48, said low
prices meant low-income
Costa Ricans could also
afford Chinese products.
The statements were made
to the Chinese press
agency, Zinhua, as it
polled Costa Rican
consumers.
However, Chinese
products also have a
dubious image in Costa
Rica, as a lot of them
give people the
impression that they are
of low-quality and not
durable enough.
Maria Vargas, director
of foreign trade at the
Foreign Businesses and
Exporters
Representatives Chamber,
told Xinhua that Costa
Rican importers are to
be blamed for the
problem, saying when
Costa Rican businessmen
go to China to seek
construction equipment -
tiles, finished goods,
steel, as well as
medical equipment,
pharmaceuticals and
televisions, - they
choose not to buy those
of higher value and
better quality.
In 2006, Costa Rica
imported a total of
us$400 million dollars
of Chinese goods.
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