Business opportunities

The U.S. pancake giant sees Costa Rica as a key component of its Latin American expansion.

Investors said they chose Costa Rica “thanks to its political stability, its workforce availability and the competitiveness of the local market.”

Participants during five weeks will visit companies or non-government organisations where they will work jointly on a venture action plan to be implemented here upon their return.

Churchill-inspired popsicles, gelato, milkshakes, cakes and waffles are some of the products cashing in on the newfound popularity of the classic Costa Rican treat.

Despite having an Internet coverage of some 88 percent of the country, only 12 percent of consumers in Costa Rica shop online, a study on e-commerce released by consultant company Kantar Worldpanel showed.

Costa Ricans have wholeheartedly embraced the U.S. shopping phenomenon that is Black Friday.

Local businesses can apply for environmental loans ranging from $1,500 to $150,000, which must be invested in environmentally friendly technologies to improve efficiency. That technology includes solar panels, electronic ballasts, high efficiency diffusers and reflectors, air compressors, fluorescent lamps, LED lights, electric engines, cooling systems, boilers, low-energy vehicles and others.

Some 300 Costa Rican companies will be offering their products at the fair to 200 buyers from 35 countries in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The local call is open for Ticos and foreigners legally residing in Costa Rica as long as their proposals have a positive impact here.

If passed by the full Legislative Assembly, the program would restructure the debt of more than 70 tourism businesses and provide them with administrative consulting.