The Vice Minister of Foreign Trade,
Duayner Salas Chaverri, commented that «the unification of these programs
fills the foreign trade sector with pride, because it clearly portrays our
interest in helping Costa Rican companies become more competitive and reach
their maximum potential. The DISCOVER and Green Growth programs allow us to
promote productive transformation, beyond company and producer growth, providing
companies with sustainability from the environmental, social and economic
perspectives.”
“This is an excellent opportunity
for the agricultural sector that has opted for sustainable and environmentally
responsible production systems, wagering on innovation and technology, for a
production that is more efficient and in accordance with the demands of
national and international markets. I invite the sector to submit their
initiatives and compete for these resources that represent an option for
transformation and improvement of competitiveness,” said the Vice Minister of
Agriculture and Livestock, Ana Cristina Quirós Soto.
Pedro Beirute Prada, General Manager
at PROCOMER, added that «95% of our business park are SMEs, and we want
many of them to become exporters.»
Competition dynamics
Those interested can participate
with projects that require technical advice, the acquisition of equipment,
certifications, innovations, and others. In this case, the winners will obtain
non-reimbursable financing for up to 80% of the development of their project. The amount per project varies based on
category, and the maximum amount financed is $15,000.
Requirements to
participate
- Be an
SME.
- Be up
to date with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund.
- Be up
to date with tax obligations with the Ministry of Finance.
- Be up
to date with operating permits from the Ministry of Health, municipal patents
or any other permits necessary for the operation of the business.
- Complete
the «PROCOMER exporter diagnosis» and be an exporter, or a potential
exporter.
Companies interested in
participating must submit their projects before April 17 through the application platform available at www.crecimientoverdecr.com or http://www.descubre.cr/, where information can also be
found regarding the programs, Operating Bases, and Rules and Conditions for the
competitions.
To learn more about Green Growth,
please send an e-mail to crecimientoverde@procomer.com or call 4505-4909. To learn more about Discover, please send an e-mail to descubre@procomer.com or call
4505-4917.
Green Growth success
stories
- Astek: works on the implementation of a rainwater
harvesting system, achieving a 20% reduction in water use. In addition, it is
the first Costa Rican «Carbon Neutral Plus» company.
- Exportagri: its project is the implementation
of a drying system lined with insulating panels and wind curtains, as well as
obtaining the essential Costa Rica Country Brand license and Carbon Neutral
certification. They have already achieved a 48% (LPG) and 20% (Kwh) reduction
in energy. Economic savings: $18.2K.
- Chocolates Fusión: is implementing a solar drying
system for cocoa that ensures the quality and commercial differentiation of the
product. It won the international “Energy Globe National Award” and increased
productivity, going from drying 200kg of beans in 15 days to 600 kg in 12 days.
- Melones de la Península: implements the automation of
greenhouse irrigation with intelligent controllers and valves based on climate
data. They have achieved a 50% reduction in water and was the 1st Costa Rican
company to export organic cantaloupe and watermelon to Europe.
Discover success stories
- Elixir Tropical: is a micro-business located in
Lepanto, Puntarenas, dedicated to the production of pitahaya and other products
such as moringa and acerola. With the funds provided by the Discover Program,
it has purchased the equipment need for a pitahaya pulp processing plant, with
which they want to venture into the production of by-products of the fruit, as
well as the development of energy drinks.
The company is currently in the last stage of the project.
- La Vaca Muca: a micro-company located in Upala,
San Carlos, dedicated to the plantation of fine and aromatic cocoa and the
production of by-products such as chocolate bars. With Discover Program funds
provided by the Development Banking System, the company implemented the
adaptation of an electric cocoa dryer to a gas drying system, with which it
plans to go from using 50% of cocoa on the plantation to a utilization of 90%,
which has not been possible due to the high humidity in the grain. The company
has already completed its project.
VIDEO OF SUCCESS STORIES.
Noticias
19 marzo 2020 
