Today, Costa Rica exports thousands of distinctive products to the world and is highly recognized as one of the top 30 leading exporters of high-tech products. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country’s political stability and high education levels. Over 200 global companies have chosen Costa Rica as an establishment location.

The overarching objective of Costa Rica’s trade policy is to promote, facilitate and consolidate the country’s integration into the international economy. To that end, a package of core strategies has been implemented in the last decade to guide and lend consistency to the national policy in the quest for a larger presence on world markets, which include participation in the multilateral system, furthering regional integration, negotiating trade and investment agreements and further opening up the economy.

Up to date, Costa Rica has free trade agreements with Mexico, Canada, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, the CARICOM countries and China. It has also signed free trade agreements with Singapore, Peru and the European Union. The first two are awaiting congressional ratification and the one with the EU is under legal revision prior to its signing. Costa Rica is an active member at the World Trade Organization.

Why invest in Costa Rica?

The 2008 World Bank Survey for Global Governance Indicators, ranks Costa Rica in the first place within Latin America for political stability
Army abolished in 1948
Ranked among the highest in Political Stability and Absence of Violence index in Latin America (World Bank, 2008)
More than 100 years of democracy
Currently, more than 200 multinational companies are operating in Costa Rica
Exceptionally talented and bilingual young workforce. On average 95% of the employees in multinational companies are local
Preferential access platform to 1/3 of the world’s population, and 2/3 of worldwide GDP. 90% of goods exports through free trade agreements
Excellent business climate based on a renowned democratic tradition, economic and political stability
93% of energy is renewable; electricity costs are low and guaranteed. Redundant telecommunications access
Quality of life in Costa Rica is high. Safest country in Latin America; and one of the top 5 environmental performers
The country has no limitations on capital funds transfers associated with an investment, regardless of the currency
No restrictions are imposed on re-investments or on repatriation of earnings, royalties or capital
There is no requirement to register investments with any of the government authorities
Costa Rica has achieved international standards for IPR protection.

For further information, please visit the website of the Agencia de Promoción de Inversión de Costa Rica (CINDE). At their download center you will be able to find specific information on Costa Rica’s infrastructure, Telecommunications, Education, Free Trade Zone Regime, Human Capital, Immigration Requirements, Industrial Parks, Key economic indicators, Labor regulations, Life in Costa Rica, Setting up a Business in Costa Rica, Taxation, Trade Agreements and Preferential Access, Workforce, etc.

Costa Rican export products:

Costa Rica’s Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (PROCOMER) offers updated information related to Costa Rica’s export supply, exports statistics, opportunities to conduct on-line business procedures, as well as an exports, imports and services directory . (see video).

PROCOMER has trade promotion offices in the cities of Houston, Los Ángeles, Miami and Nueva York.

See useful links

Passports

Procedures Consulate in Washington