Printer Friendly Page
Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C)
June 25, 2007
Citi Foundation Rewards Costa Rican Microentrepreneurs
Award Outlines Importance of this Sector for the National Economy
In an event that brought together outstanding national public figures, such as the President of the Republic, Dr. Oscar Arias Sánchez and other representative officials from the government and management Sector, Citi Costa Rica honored the winners of the first Citi Microentrepreneurship Award. Six entrepreneurs who stood out due to their achievements and best practices of their businesses were awarded with cash prizes, based on the analysis performed by a jury made up of INCAE Business School specialists, qualified officials from the Office of the Minister of Economy and Commerce, and Citi Costa Rica.
These entrepreneurs come from different areas in the country and were chosen by institutions that specialize in credit lines for the financing of small businesses. They not only met the requirements established to participate, but they also became an example to be followed by all Costa Ricans because of their efforts, creativity, innovation and achievements.
“I had the opportunity to analyze the case of each entrepreneur that we are awarding and it is really impressive to see the efforts and challenges they have overcome in order to make their businesses a reality. Their selection by a highly qualified jury is indicative of their great work. They are truly an example of courage and success for all of us. In Citi Costa Rica, we are completely convinced that the microcredit lines are a key element for our economy, it is a means to decrease poverty at a global level and we are very proud of those who have been chosen as winners,” said Jorge Mora, Costa Rica’s Citi Country Officer.
The winners of the Citi Award to Small Business Entrepreneurs are the following:
|
These prizes were awarded to the winners during a special event hosted by Citi Costa Rica CCO, Jorge Mora, and by the President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Dr. Oscar Arias.
The jury was made up of the following specialists: Dr. Luis Noel Alfaro, INCAE professor and expert in micro-credit lines; Ronald Aguilar, chief of the DYGEPYME productive development department of the Economy and Commerce Ministry (MEIC); Kenlor Howels, President of the Micro Credit Line Net of the Costa Rica; and Laura Vasquez, Citi Costa Rica Human Resource Manager. The leaders of the organizing committee of the Award were Juan Pablo Montoya, ADRI General Manager; Luis Fernando Chaves, Director of MEIC DYGEPYME; Ana Laura Navarro, Citi Costa Rica GTS Head; and Lisandra Chaves, Citi Costa Rica Public Affairs Officer.
# # #
Citi
Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Citi's major brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Citi Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.
Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation supports organizations that help people improve their lives, businesses to grow, and communities to prosper around the world. The Citi Foundation focuses its grants primarily in three areas: financial education, educating the next generation, and building communities and entrepreneurs. Additional information can be found at http://www.citigroupfoundation.com/.