CINDE the office of export and development, announced that 4 U.S. companies involved in medical services and products will expand operations here in 2006.  Inamed (silicon implants), Arthrocare (surgical equipment), Point Tecnologies (metallic implements) and PPC Industries (plastics) will invest a combined total of $30 million and create 700 new jobs here.  In the bilingual employment fair, service companies announced that they need 5000 bilingual employees during 2006.  English of course, but also French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Mandarin speaking employees are needed.

The Minister of Tourism, Rodrigo Castro, said that tourism increased by 15% this year, with a projection of 1.6 million tourists by the end of 2005.  60% were from the US.

Today there will be no ferry service from Puntarenas to Paquera, since repairs will be carried out on the dock at Paquera. 

The Costa Rican government will slash taxes by half on hybrid vehicles, electric cars, and some motorcycles that enter the country.  Fortunately, the measure is to take effect by decree, so does not need to go to the assembly for debate.  The Finance Ministry has the decree, cutting the tax from 30% to 15%, but does not know when it will take effect since it must be published by the Executive Branch.

The Toyota Prius is the only hybrid car sold here currently, and the tax cut will slash 2.7 million Colones from the current price tag of 18 million.  ($36,600)  The car has a suggested price of $21,725 in the US. The importers of used cars oppose the measure, calling it discriminatory.