Pacheco Does Flip
Flop
The rumour spread like wild fire, that Ministro de Comercio Exterior
(Foreign Minister) Albert Trejos was going to tender his
resignation.
Trejos met with President Abel Pacheco on Friday.
The rumour was dispelled when Trejos was asked point blank by a
member of the Channel 7 news team if had tendered his resignation at
the meeting.
No, he had not resigned, Trejos told Liliana Carranza of Teletica
News.
Trejos added that the meeting was to clear up some disagreements of
this week between He and Pacheco over the free trade agreement - the
Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC).
The President had done a flip flop when at the beginning of the week
he stood firm that the TLC would not go to the Costa Rican Congress
any time soon, then a few days later, announced that yes, it would
be before Congress by August.
Pacheco's turnaround drew mixed criticism from business and and then
later by union leaders.
Trejos told Teletica that he met with Pacheco at Presidential House
to discuss the situation and make sure they are both on the same
page. Trejos added that he is not unhappy with the recent decision
over the TLC, he just wants to be in tune with the administration's
efforts, a common effort, for the better of Costa Rica.
The government is facing two major decisions that need the approval
of the Legislative Assembly; the Plan Fiscal and the TLC.
President Pacheco was more reconciling on Friday, following the
meeting with Trejos, saying the presentation of the TLC before the
Legislative Assembly is tied to the approval of the Plan Fiscal.
Costa Rica, Land of the Pharmacies
It seems pharmacies are popping up everywhere, at every
corner, two or three in a mall, in a row on downtown streets.
In the first five months of 2004, 88 new pharmacies opened. Forty
three of them in San José, 21 in Alajuela and 14 in Puntarenas.
These numbers according to the Ministry of Health and College of
Pharmacists.
Foreign pharmacy groups are trying to enter this growing segment of
the market, vying to compete with national pharmacies. One group is
from Mexico and is soon to open a chain of pharmacies that offer
lower prices and more generic brands.
According to official records, there are 804 pharmacies operating in
Costa Rica. Pharmacies are required to be staffed by a medical
professional who can give medical advice on the the different
pharmaceuticals and their use. At some pharmacies, these
professionals are called "doctor" but do not hold a medical license,
only a licensed by the Colegio de Farmacéuticos.
Inflation Puts Pressure on Central Bank
The accumulated inflation for the first six months
in 2004 reached 6.26 percent, the highest in the
same period in the last two years.
According to the National Statistics and Census
Bureau, the inflation for June was 1.07 percent, and
the inter-annual one -the last 12 months - reached
11.89 percent.
Some economists believe that such levels of
inflation are going to force the Central Bank to
make changes in the tools it uses to keep the
stability of the economy and to minimize the impact
on other variables.
The president of the Central Bank, Francisco
Gutierrez, admitted that the accumulated inflation
through June is under discussion and is a source of
worry, since the Bank's early estimate for the
overall inflation for 2004 was 9 percent.
He admitted that the Bank has increased interest
rates twice in recent weeks, in order to prevent the
sending of savings abroad and to lower consumption,
which contributes to increase the inflation.
More Tourists
From January through May this year, 556,412 tourists
visited Costa Rica, a 23.5 percent increase as
compared to the same period last year, according to
figures supplied by official sources at
international airports.
The records at Juan Santamaria and Daniel Oduber
(Liberia) airports show the arrival of 450,478
tourists the first five months in 2003.
The data does not include the arrival of tourists on
cruise ships or overland, therefore the actual
number of visitors is higher, tourist sector sources
said.
COPA
AMERICA
Brazil v Costa Rica: Fixed Odds Betting
Group C leader Brazil will be looking to ensure
their passage through to the last eight of the Copa
America when they playCosta Rica on Sunday.
The bookies expect nothing less than a Brazilian
victory here, offering the World Champions at a best
price of just 4/9, so instead of backing them to
triumph in 90 minutes, try the even money offered
about Carlos Alberto Parreira’s second string being
in front at half time and full time.
Admittedly, the boys from Brazil were nowhere near
their best in that victory over Chile, but the
gaining of maximum points would have given their
young side plenty of confidence and that should
enable a far more convincing display here.
Costa Rica have come on leaps and bounds over the
past few years, but they haven’t been helped by the
recent sacking of former USA coach Steve Sampson,
while they also lost to Paraguay’s youngsters in
their first game, going down 1-0 to a late penalty.
Without the inspirational Paulo Wanchope, who
starred in the last Copa finals, the Caribbean side
lack any real invention at the top of the park and
it’s difficult to see how they will break through a
young wall of yellow.
Click here for the Copa America website.
 News
Briefs
-
Every day, according to official Transit police figures, 248 fines of
¢11.000 colones each are given to drivers for failing to use their seatbelt.
In the 51 days that the law came into effect, Transit police have handed out
12.626 fines or "partes". And though those numbers are good for the
government coffers, Transit police are going to begin an active campaign to
reduce the number of fines for non-seatbelt use.
|
