CABEI support for Costa Rica's Caribbean region boosts access to clean water, improved sewerage and reconstruction of infrastructure at imminent risk

San José, September 1^st, 2023 - Located on Costa Rica's beautiful Caribbean coast, the province of Limón is a treasure trove of natural beauty and rich cultural diversity. Its topography is embraced by verdant vegetation and a crystal blue sea that reflects the exuberance and vitality of this province inhabited by a diverse and multicultural community that today proudly celebrates its Afro-Costa Rican roots.

Despite the frequent weather and economic challenges that surround it, the Costa Rican Caribbean region has great potential to balance opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development. Committed to this vision, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) is supporting important initiatives to improve the quality of life of the people of Limón through the financing of more than US$237 million in projects to improve access to clean water, sewerage, sanitation and the resilient reconstruction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges and schools at imminent risk.

Regarding access to water resources, CABEI has allocated US$111.13 million in financing for the " Clean water and Sanitation Program for coastal areas, service quality and efficiency management," which includes projects to improve the Guácimo de Limón aqueduct; the Limón drinking water supply system, stage II; and the construction of the Moín sanitary sewer system. These three projects are expected to benefit more than 130,000 people.

Furthermore, a modern water sanitation system will soon be in operation through the "San José Metropolitan Area, Urban Aqueducts and Sanitary Sewerage Program for Puerto Viejo de Limón", which will directly benefit more than 4,000 residents of the South Caribbean, in addition to the hundreds of tourists who visit the community of Puerto Viejo.

Also, with a contribution of US$55.0 million, the "Sewerage and Flood Control Program for Limón" will develop infrastructure with several positive - and necessary - impacts for 43,800 people in the communities of Limón and Limoncito: the Limón Sanitary Sewerage project, which includes a wastewater pre-conditioning plant; and the Limoncito Flood Control System.

In addition to the water and sanitation initiatives, the Bank is also backing another railroad-related initiative: the Limonense Electric Cargo Train (TELCA), by financing the feasibility studies for this project, which envisages a modern cargo transportation system from Moín, in Limón, to Muelle in San Carlos, which, in addition to reducing the environmental impact generated by vehicular transportation, would promote productive linkages and improve competitiveness in the areas of affluence.

In addition to the aforementioned projects, as part of the "Emergency Program for the Comprehensive and Resilient Reconstruction of Infrastructure", currently under discussion in the Legislative Assembly, 60 interventions for more than US$70 million are contemplated, including roads, bridges, railroads, housing and schools that are in a state of emergency in communities such as Sixaola, Bratsi, Shiroles, Bribrí, Limoncito, Siquirres, Sixaola, Cahuita, among others that are socioeconomically vulnerable.

The investment contributed for all the works-developed and in progress-is framed within CABEI's strategic axes of Human Development and Competitiveness, through which the multilateral contributes to the generation of effective social capacities for real social inclusion by ensuring minimum welfare conditions in health, education and other essential services; as well as in the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as access to clean water, improved nutrition, and employment generation.