This Week in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Former President and Brother Summoned

The former President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias and his brother, Rodrigo Arias has been summoned to testify about alleged misappropriation of funds by the special commission which was created by the Legislative Assembly to investigate Rodrigo. The Commission is being called the 'Arias Commission'.

Several other government officials are being subpoenaed and the former Costa Rica representative for the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE), and the bank’s general manager are also being subpoenaed.

Peru's Export and Tourism Promotion Board to Hold Expo Peru Central America Trade Show in Costa Rica

The Peru Central America trade show will be held in Costa Rica from March 27 and April 1 to promote bilateral trade between Peru and Central America. It is to be attended by business people from the different business sectors.

The event is to be chaired by the Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Eduardo Ferreyros, along with officials of Peru’s Private Investment Promotion Agency (ProInversion).

The trade show will also be held in Guatemala.

Airport in Costa Rica Named 3rd Best in Latin America

After 300,000 passenger surveys, the Airports Council International (ACI) announced that the Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela, is the third best airport in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was also given the recognition of the region’s best improved airport.

The Transportation Minister, Francisco Jimenez declared that Costa Rica now had a world class airport.

Footwear Company Promises to Plant Trees in Costa Rica

The footwear and apparel company Etnies has promised to plant a tree in Costa Rica for every pair of shoes that the company sells under its recycled content line.

The 'Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree' initiative is in partnership with the non-profit, La Reserva Forest Foundation and aims at increasing the number of trees in the Maleku Reserve in northern Costa Rica.

Several Injured in a Train Collision

45 people were left injured in a collision between a train and a Desamparados bus in Plasa Gonzalez Viquez. It appears that a traffic signal was ignored which led to the collision. The Red Cross and Fire Service were able to treat the injured people after which, they were transferred to hospitals in San Juan de Dios and Calderon Guardia.

TDMA Users to Lose Cell Phone Service From March 3

For those who use the TDMA cell phones, service is to be discontinued by March 3. The cell phone service would have been discontinued much earlier, but the Telecom Agency prevailed upon the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad to commence an advertising campaign, informing the cell phone users of the impending discontinuation.

The campaign was to consist of five adverts in two national newspapers, including television ads, in addition to text messages sent to each user.

Some form of compensation is being offered as the telecom company has been giving away free GSM phones, which it intends to keep doing till March 3. From then, TDMA users will not be able to get any more compensation.