The IDB Group is honored to be hosting this year's MDB Chief Accountant’s Forum in Costa Rica!
Between May 19–22, we reunite again to learn from experts, reconnect with colleagues, build networks, as we focus on learning and sharing knowledge and achievements.
General information
Visa requirements
Please check Costa Rica’s entry/visa requirements before traveling.
What to Wear
The event will be Business Casual Attire. (No tie needed).
Also, you may want to:
- Bring a pair of sneakers or comfortable clothing/shoes for the Cultural Activity Day as options include going outdoors.
- Bring a hat, sunglasses, umbrella and/or raincoat.
- Bring your sports outfit if you plan to exercise.
Do's & Don'ts
- Don't drink the tap water.
- When going out, dress down and leave valuables at the hotel.
- Use ATMs during daylight hours.
- Be especially careful crossing streets.
- Be aware when walking at night. Avoid secluded areas or going out by yourself.
- Get adequate amounts of sleep! We want you awake and engaged during the event!
Currency Exchange
The local currency is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC).
As of February 15th, USD $1 equals roughly 517 CRC.
Below are some examples of conversions.
USD 100 |
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USD 250 |
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USD 500 |
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USD 1,000 |
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Tipping
All Costa Rican restaurants automatically add a 10% gratuity to your bill before it's given to you, in addition to the 13% tax. In Costa Rican eateries, tipping is optional. However, offering an additional sum is polite if you feel your server exceeded expectations or went the extra mile with your meal.
Electricity
The voltage in Costa Rica is 110V at 60Hz. Plugs are Type A and B, with flat pins, identical to those used in the USA and Canada. We recommend you bring your own adapter, as they are not widely available outside of certain large airports.
Safety
Please read the Security Brief before traveling.
Be mindful: As with all Metropolitan cities, it is always good to stay informed of the security risks and avoid going out solo to unknown areas.
| Agenda
DETAILED AGENDA | |
Date/Time | Program/Location |
Saturday, May 18 | Arrival |
18:00 - 20:00 | Cocktail at Room Laurel |
| |
Sunday, May 19 | La Paz Waterfall |
06:00 - 08:00 | Breakfast at The Market Restaurant (Hotel) |
08:30 - 15:00 | La Paz Waterfall Visit |
16:30 | Arrival at Hotel |
18:00 | Dinner at The Market Restaurant at Hotel |
| |
Monday, May 20 | Country Office |
06:00 - 08:30 | Breakfast at The Market Restaurant (Hotel) |
09:00 | Departure from Hotel |
09:30 - 12:00 | Country overview and Service Center visit by Sergio Valeiras and Susan Wermcrantz, Interamerican Development Bank Group |
12:00 - 13:30 | Lunch |
13:30 - 14:30 | US GAAP / IFRS Update by Katherine Jenezon, EY, Virtual Presentation |
14:30 - 17:00 | New Products Update 14:30 -15:00 | Insurance Products by Ramon Ruiz, Inter-American Development Bank, Virtual Presentation 15:00 -15:15 | Coffee Break 15:15 -15:45 | SDRs by Amadou Ndiaye, International Monetary Fund 15:45 -16:15 | Hybrid Capital by Haithem Ben Othman, African Development Bank 16:15- 16:45 | Key features of ISDB core products by Hondamir Nusrathujaev, Islamic Development Bank 16:45-17:00 | Wrap up by Alberto Cid and Christine Yerg, Inter-American Development Bank Group |
17:00 | Return to Hotel |
18:45 | Departure for Dinner |
19:00 | Dinner at Café Negroni |
21:00 | Return to Hotel |
| |
Tuesday, May 21 | Laurel Room at Hotel |
06:00 - 08:30 | Breakfast at The Market Restaurant (Hotel) |
09:00 - 12:00 | 9:30-10:30 | ESG + ISSB Sustainability Reporting by Evie Robertson, ISSB, Virtual presentation 10:30-11:00 | ESG by Chris Robinson, Deloitte 11:00-12:00 | Roundtable Discussion |
12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch at Las Jacarandas Room |
13:00 - 15:45 | 13:00-14:00 | Analytics & Data Management by Ignacio Cerrato and Igor Valentim, Interamerican Development Bank Group
14:00-14:30 | AI Robotics, Automation by Lucrecia Ledesma, Inter-American Development Bank 14:30-14:45 | Coffee Break 14:45-15:15 | AI Trade verification & Use cases for financial reporting by Michael Child, World Bank Group 15:15-15:45 | Systems update - ERP System Change Update by Mike Ryan, Nordic Investment Bank |
15:45 – 17:00 | Round Table |
17:00 | Wrap up |
18:45 | Departure for Dinner |
19:30 | Dinner at Mirador Tiquicia |
21:00 | Return to Hotel |
| |
Wednesday, May 22 | Laurel Room at Hotel |
06:00 - 08:30 | Breakfast at The Market Restaurant (Hotel) |
09:00 - 10:30 | Specialized Topics 9:00-9:30 | Capital hedging strategy by Gordon Jones, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 9:30-10:00 | Accounting policy changes by Allegra Saitto, International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD 10:00-10:30 | Neurodiversity by EY Heather Tartaglia |
10:30 - 11:30 | General matters |
11:45 - 12:00 | Wrap up and Group Photo |
12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch at Hotel |
13:00 - 17:00 | Project visit ASEMBISLAB |
Thursday, May 23 | Check out |
06:00 - 08:30 | Breakfast at The Market Restaurant (Hotel) |
11:00 | Hotel check out |
| Participants
About San Jose
To make your trip to San Jose remarkable, these are the basic considerations you should consider before arriving, so you know more about the capital, its food, weather, and safety tips. And while you are at it, learn our Country Strategy, Projects and more about what we do in Costa Rica.
San Jose is the heart of Costa Rica and home to roughly half the country’s 4.9 million citizens. The capital city of Costa Rica, San Jose is also the cultural hub of the nation. Boasting a mix of lush parks, curated museums, historic architecture, and a booming coffee culture that has flourished since the 19th century, San Jose—or Chepe, as it's known locally—is also one of the safest cities in Latin America.
Things to do
Check out the official list of 10 places you should visit when you are in this neighborhood of San Jose, including restaurants, parks, and museums.
About the weather
Warm, with some showers.
Daily high temperatures are around 80°F (27°C), rarely falling below 75°F (24°C) or exceeding 83°F (28°C).
| IDB Group in Costa Rica
The Country Office of Costa Rica supports the government’s efforts to move forward on its social welfare, low-carbon economic development, and environmental resilience goals in alignment with the Bicentennial National Development and Public Investment Plan.
Latest projects at glance
Below are the IDBG’s latest projects in Costa Rica:
| PROJECT NUMBER | SECTOR | PROJECT NAME | FINANCING | STATUS | APPROVAL DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Program for strengthening the institutional capacity of the crime prevention system |
|
Preparation |
|
|
CR-T1273
|
OTHER |
366,024 |
Implementation |
01/02/2024 |
|
|
CR-J0003
|
EDUCATION |
Better education and efficiency of educational system in Costa Rica |
|
Preparation |
|
|
CR-T1271
|
TRADE |
Accelerating the digital transformation of airports in Costa Rica |
500,000 |
Implementation |
12/01/2023 |
|
CR-L1152
|
EDUCATION
|
Better education and efficiency of educational system in Costa Rica |
150,000,000 |
Preparation |
|
|
CR-T1262
|
SOCIAL INVESTMENT
|
333,000 |
Implementation |
01/18/2024 |
|
|
CR-T1266
|
REFORM / MODERNIZATION OF THE STATE |
590,000 |
Implementation |
08/28/2023 |
|
|
CR-T1270
|
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL DISASTERS |
600,000 |
Implementation |
09/26/2023 |
|
|
14707-01 |
MANUFACTURING |
10,000,000 |
Proposed |
02/13/2024 |
|
|
14246-01
|
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION |
30,000,000 |
Implementation |
10/28/2022 |
|
|
13990-01
|
DIGITAL ECONOMY
|
50,000,000 |
Implementation |
04/12/2022 |
