New sites promise help for SMEs, foreign investment

Costa Rica has launched two websites with details on the private sector in the north and south of the country, and other useful information for potential investors, Capital Financiero reported. The website covering the northern region, Sirzee, includes details on the San Carlos, Sarapiquí, Guatuso, Upala and Los Chiles areas and was developed by the San Carlos technology institute ICTR with the help of the chamber of commerce association ZEE, the government of Japan, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The second, Sibrudes provides details on the southern Brunca region consisting of the Pérez Zeledón, Coto Brus, Corredores, Golfito, Osa and Buenos Aires areas and was designed by the Brunca university UNA. "The idea is to strengthen decision making," said Rónald Salas, UNA's social development director. Sirzee offers online training to SMEs, plus maps of rivers and land that may be used for development. Sibrudes includes news, socioeconomic, agricultural and forestry studies in the Brunca region.