Dear Members:

Starting January 2012 we will be sending out our monthly e-newsletter the first Wednesday of the month. We will include our monthly schedule of events, updates on the Committees' work, member events, and new products; and new members, among other items.

If you have a new product, an event or news you would like to share with your fellow members, please send it to us before the last Wednesday of the month so we can include it.

We would like to hear from you, and what you would like to see in the newsletter, your feedback is greatly appreciated, and will help us improve our communication with our membership. Please send your news, comments, and suggestions to asistente@amcham.co.cr

The AmCham and CICA staff wishes you happy Holidays, and a new year filled with health, happiness and success!!

Upcoming events

January 30, 2012
ANNUAL MEETING
5:00 p.m. at the Real Inter-Continental Costa Rica Hotel, Salón Cedros
R.S.V.P. suri@amcham.co.cr

We would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support in 2011!
We look forward to working together in 2012!

Yearly Schedule

AmCham Committees

ANTI-CONTRABAND
• To convey the message to Government authorities and to society in general that smuggling is increasing in our country, representing not only a tax collection problem but also a threat for public health and security as organized delinquency networks are behind these activities.
• To raise awareness that these activities affect the companies that are legally established in the country and conducting businesses within the legal frameworks, clearly leaving them in a disadvantageous position.
• To foster and create spaces to exchange and work with Government authorities to set up alliances that will enhance control on smuggling and other unfair practices.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
• Focuses on the role and nature of business in bringing CSR issues center stage.
• Emphasis on how companies respond to the agenda for corporate citizenship and the growing need to manage issues that affect their business reputation.
• Examines how companies respond to the increasing needs and concerns of a range of different stakeholders.

ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
• Provides timely in-depth analysis and interpretation of the economic and financial situation of Costa Rica, the US and other countries.
• Discusses and analyses macroeconomic policies: fluctuation of exchange rates, inflation, interest rates, taxes, trade policies and international markets.
• Serves as a forum for analysis and discussion of Central Bank policies.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
• Monitors laws and proposed legislation that impact how local and international companies handle environmental related matters in Costa Rica.
• Encourages private sector involvement in ecologically-oriented programs that benefit the local community.
• Provides opportunities for sharing of best practices.

HUMAN RESOURCES
• Monitors legislative initiatives that would positively or negatively reform Costa Rica’s labor code and, when necessary, recommends course of action to Board of Directors.
• Evaluates Costa Rica’s labor environment and specific labor issues that can potentially impact member companies.
• Provides an important forum for HR managers to keep abreast of best practices and latest trends.
• Provides support in developing effective labor management relations.
• Organizes training courses and seminars.

INFORMATION /TECHNOLOGY
• Monitors compliance with DRCAFTA in area of telecommunications.
• Members exchange views and discuss trends related to the global and constantly changing landscape of information and communication technologies and the challenges facing Costa Rica’s growing information/technology sector.
• Monitors the climate for future growth and when deemed appropriate, recommends specific courses of action to the Board of Directors.
• Collaboration with and support of the Costa Rica Digital and Digital Government projects.

LEGAL AFFAIRS
• Monitors matters related to the legal aspects of investing and doing business in Costa Rica.
• Advises and recommends possible courses of action to Board of Directors on congressional and or government initiatives that negatively impact the business and investment climate.
• Collaborates with Costa Rican legislators by providing expertise on intellectual property rights, land titling, tax, insurance, environment and concessions.
• Subcommittees: Tax, Intellectual Property Rights, Public Works Concessions, SIECA, Free Trade Zones.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT
• Provides members with up to date information on US and Costa Rican trade policy and related matters affecting the bilateral trading relationship.
• Monitors CAFTA implementation process.
• Monitors Foreign Trade Agreements Costa Rica is negotiating with other countries.
• Emphasis on competitiveness issues.
• Local and international speakers are invited to expose on investment and trade related topics.

Contact Maria Eugenia Mesen to join our committees.

New Members

• ALIVEBOX
Custom made software
www.alivebox.com

• ABBY DANIEL
Marketing, public relations and communications strategy
daniellabby@gmail.com

• LEONARD INTERNACIONAL & ASOCIADOS S.A.
Engineers / Architects
www.grupoleonard.com

• ACUALOGICA S.A.
Water conservation, importer of Falcon Water Free Technology
www.acualogica.com

• INVERSIONES LUMAJO DE COSTA RICA. S.A.
Sunscreen lotion import & distribution
www.no-ad.com