Costa Rica: The Place. The People. The Opportunities.

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Cleopatra Bennett
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1 Doka Estate Costa Rica Gourmet Coffee is one of Costa Rica's high-quality coffees. The Doka Coffee Estate is located on the slopes of the Alajuela Poas Volcano, the rich soil and the ideal altitude and climate have made the Santa Eduviges farm famous for its excellent coffee. The company has developed in the areas of production, recollection, roasting, export, investigation, projection, tourism and other areas that are in charge of maintaining and improving the quality of the coffee. The main objective of this company is producing coffee of the highest quality according to the balance between the soil and the environment. The environment is an essential part within the Santa Eduviges Group. For several years the Santa Eduviges Group has been working with long term strategies that will contribute to conserving the soil, the most precious natural resource. This is achieved by applying corrective modifications to reduce the acidity of the volcanic soils to make mineral elements available that otherwise could not be absorbed by the coffee plant. In 2000 and 2001 Doka Estate was awarded as the best Estate coffee of Costa Rica for two consecutive years by the Associación Semana International del Café (SINTERCAFE). The Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE) is a private, non profit and apolitical organization. During its 25 years, CINDE has attracted more than 200 companies to Costa Rica, including worldwide leaders such as: Intel, Procter and Gamble, Hospira, Baxter, St Jude Medical, Western Union and many others. CINDE ranks among the Top 10 best-practice Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) worldwide, according to the 2009 Global Investment Promotion Benchmarking of the Investment Climate Advisory Service (FIAS) of the World Bank Group. Some of the services provided by CINDE at no cost to the investing companies are: Assistance in the site selection due diligence process by providing detailed information on the country and its advantages, and organizing customized investment agendas. Meeting the investor s needs, arranging meetings with: service providers, Government organizations, universities, Real Estate brokers, attorneys, accountants, industrial parks, and office parks. Facilitating direct contacts and links with potential investors from North America and other countries through CINDE s office in New York. Once the company has established in the country, CINDE provides specialized support for strategic aspects geared to new operational expansion projects or promoting product diversification. Costa Rica: The Place. The People. The Opportunities. Costa Rica has positioned itself as a key destination for operations of multinational companies in a variety of industries, such as Advanced Manufacturing, Medical Devices and Services. Over 200 global companies have chosen Costa Rica as an establishment location. 1

Facts that prove Costa Rica s competitiveness Costa Rica is the 4th high-tech exporter in the world (World Development Indicators 2008, World Bank) One of the most competitive destinations in Latin

Costa Rica is one of the most competitive locations, above Latin America s largest economies like Brazil, Mexico and Chile Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ/NMS: TECD), founded in 1974, is a leading

2 Facts that prove Costa Rica s competitiveness Costa Rica is the 4th high-tech exporter in the world (World Development Indicators 2008, World Bank) One of the most competitive destinations in Latin America for service operations (A.T. Kearney, Destination Latin America: A Near-Shore Alternative 2009) FDI per capita = $448. Costa Rica is one of the most competitive locations, above Latin America s largest economies like Brazil, Mexico and Chile Tech Data Corporation (NASDAQ/NMS: TECD), founded in 1974, is a leading global provider of IT products, logistics management and other value-added services. Its advanced logistics capabilities and value added services enable 125,000 resellers in more than 100 countries to efficiently and cost effectively support the diverse technology needs of end users. Tech Data generated $24.4 billion in net sales for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011 and is ranked 109th on the Fortune 500. Tech Data provides its customers with leading products from 1,000 manufacturers and publishers in the following product divisions: components, networking, peripherals, systems and software. Tech Data's extensive service offering includes pre- and post-sale training and technical support, financing options, configuration and assembly services as well as a full range of award-winning electronic commerce solutions. INCAE Business School, under the direction of President John F. Kennedy, was founded by Harvard Business School, the Central American private sector, and USAID. The Francisco de Sola campus in Managua, Nicaragua was the first campus to be established (1964). A second campus, the Walter Kissling Gam campus was established in 1984 in Alajuela, Costa Rica. INCAE Business School focuses on three key activities: Master Programs in Business Administration in areas fundamental for the development of Latin America. Executive Education and In-Company Programs. Research projects on competitiveness and development of the region. INCAE has an applied approach that combines best practices and the global frontier of knowledge Their mission is to actively promote the comprehensive development of the countries served, educating leaders in key sectors by improving their practices, attitudes, and values: Through research, teaching and the dissemination of modern managerial concepts and techniques By strengthening analytical capabilities and comprehension of economic, social, and political phenomena By promoting dialogue, understanding and cooperation amongst individuals, sectors, and countries In over 40 years of experience in Latin America, INCAE Business School has offered more than 50 full-time MBA programs and more than 20 Executive MBA programs. 2

This experience, combined with constant research innovation, a first class faculty and the relentless desire to create leaders has allowed INCAE to recently obtain high distinctions at an

3 This experience, combined with constant research innovation, a first class faculty and the relentless desire to create leaders has allowed INCAE to recently obtain high distinctions at an international level. INCAE has consistently been ranked as the best business school in Latin America during recent years, and it has been recognized as one of the 10 best business schools in the world. The dairy industry has been an integral part of business and trade in Costa Rica. As the only selfsufficient country in the production of milk and other dairy products in the Caribbean and Latin America, the exportation of these goods is a major source of revenue for Costa Rica. The Dairy Producers Dos Pinos Cooperative makes up a major sector of the dairy production in Costa Rica. It is one of the largest companies in the dairy industry in Latin America. This dairy cooperative covers an extensive network. With exports across the western hemisphere, Dos Pinos has become a major contender for sales in the dairy industry. This has been aided by the importance placed on quality assurance of their products, which is achieved through the use of quantitative tests to determine the content of the products. This has also helped the cooperative stay successful for decades. Background Info The Dos Pinos Cooperative was started on August 26, 1947, with 25 milk producers within the community with a common goal of bringing about the purchase, sale and pasteurization of milk and the creation of milk products, principally by acquiring the machinery and raw material necessary do so. Today, there are about 2,000 different farms that make up the cooperative. Main Objectives 1. To sell milk to a company that, being their own, would pay them a fair a fair price. 2. To buy the supplies necessary for their farms, also through their own company. 3. To promote the industrial and social development of Costa Rica. The mark of distinction was the name Dos Pinos (Two Pines), which was created to name the various products, like cheese and butter and to enhance the idea of the union between cooperation and fertility. Progress over time In 1952 the first milk and butter were processed and pasteurized. In 1965 is the company began exporting butter to different Central American countries, which was the first exportation In the 90s Dos Pinos becomes the biggest cheese plant in Central America. In the year 2000 Dos Pinos was named the Company of the Twentieth Century. Recognitions 1. Named # 1 company in National sales 2. Processed 85% of the commercial milk in the country 3. Named Costa Rica s business of the 20 th century. 3

4. Awarded nation s best Exporter in 2004. 5.

4 4. Awarded nation s best Exporter in Major Producer in Latin America, exports to: Guatemala, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, San Andrés, Panamá, Venezuela, México, Nicaragua and United Status. Products Milk: Traditional, Specialized, Powdered Flavored Ice Cream: Cones, Popsicles, Specialty Other Dairy Products: Butter, Cheese, Sour Cheese, Cream Cheese, Yogurt Juices and Drinks: Juice, Nectar, Tea Manuel Antonio National Park, in Spanish the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, is a small National Park in the Central Pacific Conservation Area located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of the city of Quepos, Puntarenas, and 132 km from the national capital of San José. Established in 1972 with an area enumerating 4,014 acres (16.24 km²) (the smallest of any Costa Rican national park), it is the destination of as many as 150,000 visitors annually and well-known for its beautiful beaches and hiking trails. It is famous as well for being a very gay-friendly and oriented area as well. Beaches Four beaches are contained within the limits of the park: Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Escondido, and Playita. With their large light sand berms, it is easy to see why they attract beach goers of all ages. The first is separated from the second by a "tombolo", or natural land bridge formed by sand accumulations. Visitors may enjoy a roughly hourlong hike from Espadilla to the top of Punta Catedral (100 m). Both Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur contain tidal pools and offer the possibility of snorkeling. There are good chances that while hiking you will see monkeys and other animals, but please do not feed the animals, especially the monkeys, as there have been problems with this in the past. There are no lifeguards and precaution must be taken, as riptides occur. As well, tourists are ordered to vacate the park before (4:00 P.M.) every day, on the basis that the incoming tide cuts off the park's exit and allows the entry of crocodiles into the area. Biodiversity Although Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's smallest national park, the breath taking beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 6.83 km² is unequaled with 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds. Both Three-toed and Two-toed Sloths (perezosos) are a major feature, as are the Mantled Howler Monkey, Central American Squirrel Monkey, and White-headed Capuchin Monkey (feeding them is strictly prohibited). Spiny-tailed Iguanas, Green Iguanas, Basilisks, Coatis and many snake and bat species are also common in the park. Included in the 184 bird species are toucans, woodpeckers, potoos, motmots, tanagers, turkey vultures, parakeets and hawks. Dolphins can be observed there, as well as the occasional migrating whale. Scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking provide great opportunities to experience the tropical wildlife that enriches Manuel Antonio, arguably one of the country's most beautiful and protected costal areas. 4

Coopesilencio R.L. is a self- managed agricultural cooperative dedicated to the production of oil palm, grains, reforestation, cattle rising and ecological protection.

5 Coopesilencio R.L. is a self- managed agricultural cooperative dedicated to the production of oil palm, grains, reforestation, cattle rising and ecological protection. Coopesilencio develops conservation, environmental education and ecological tourism projects, as means of guaranteeing the protection and rational use of natural resources. Moreover, it offers the fully equipped services of the Centro de Educación Ambiental (Environmental Education Center). Coopesilencio is a member Cooprena. COOPRENA R. L. acts as a platform for the development of community tourism. It provides the national and international promotion and training required for the professionalization of community tourism. Cooprena also provides tools required for the growth of the community- based rural tourism sector through courses, seminars and workshops. Currently, Cooprena is comprised of 20 organizations, made up of cooperatives and associations. Community- based tourism can act as a means to improve the quality of life in rural communities and to promote the conservation, sustainable and rational utilization of natural resources. Cooprena supports the promotion and commercialization of economically and socially responsible tourism companies in the country by offering a variety of options for tourists, including reservation services with more than 40 alternative companies. The member organizations offer community- based tourism products as a complement to traditional economic activities and as a means to support ecological and cultural preservation efforts. Mission We are a leading rural community- based tourism consortium that offers our clients high- quality travel products. With the cooperation of businesses committed to values of solidarity, sustainable development and improvement of the quality of life in rural communities, we provide and promote tourism packages and services that benefit our member cooperatives and associations. Vision To be the leading network of consolidated social organizations that support local development at the national and international level. Our goal is to meet the demands of the tourism market and the needs of our member organizations through the promotion of integrated systems of competitive and complementary alternative tourism products and services. 5

AGENDA. Arrival Day. 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm. Free Time. May 12 to May 19, Sunday 12th /62

AGENDA. Arrival Day. 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm. Free Time. May 12 to May 19, Sunday 12th /62 Sunday 12th 76 /62 Arrival Day Juan Santamaria International Airport was inaugurated in July of 1955. It is the primary hub in Costa Rica, located about 1 mile away from the city of Alajuela, and just