By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica has taken another decisive step in positioning itself as a central hub for the Americas in the global microelectronics supply chain. Representing the Central American nation at the premier gathering of microelectronics leaders, the Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) actively participated in SEMICON West 2026, held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.
The three-day global gathering attracted more than 35,000 visitors and featured approximately 850 international exhibitors. Attendees included microchip executives, technology innovators, specialized engineers, researchers, and public policy makers. Within this high-stakes environment, Costa Rica sought to cement its unique position as a trusted destination for foreign direct investment across semiconductor design, assembly, testing, and advanced packaging.
To better understand the legal and regulatory framework driving Costa Rica’s strategic expansion in the global semiconductor supply chain, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading legal expert at Bufete de Costa Rica.
“Costa Rica’s positioning as a critical regional hub for the semiconductor ecosystem relies heavily on our robust Free Trade Zone regime, legal certainty, and strong intellectual property protections. To maximize the benefits of initiatives like the U.S. ITSI Act and attract further high-tech foreign direct investment, Costa Rica must continue streamlining administrative workflows and updating regulatory mechanisms to support advanced technology manufacturing and R&D operations.”
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, as Costa Rica strives to solidify its standing in the global microchip supply chain, modernizing regulatory frameworks and cutting administrative red tape will be vital to fully capitalizing on historic opportunities like the U.S. ITSI Act; we extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing such an insightful and valuable perspective on the legal and economic path forward.
This participation marks the third consecutive year that Costa Rica has maintained an official delegation at SEMICON West, continuing momentum that began during the 2024 gathering. Officials emphasize that establishing a persistent footprint at top-tier industry conferences is essential for securing commitments in a sector characterized by multi-billion-dollar capital investments and extended planning horizons.
In an industry with long investment cycles and highly specialized decisions, trust and sustained presence are fundamental. Since 2024, SEMICON West has allowed us to maintain a direct dialogue with global players and demonstrate, year after year, that Costa Rica can respond with talent, technical capabilities, and a solid ecosystem. In this edition, in addition to showcasing our country’s capabilities and business climate, we are also highlighting how we prepare the talent this industry needs to keep growing.
Mónica Umaña, Foreign Direct Investment Manager at PROCOMER
A centerpiece of the Costa Rican itinerary was an official presentation entitled “The Talent Strategy: How Costa Rica Drives the Growth of the Semiconductor Industry.” Delivered by Carolina Sánchez, Director of PROCOMER’s Investment Promotion Office in Silicon Valley, the keynote directly addressed the global talent shortage currently confronting chip manufacturers and developers worldwide.
During the session, Sánchez detailed Costa Rica’s comprehensive roadmap to address workforce constraints. The strategy combines targeted government training incentives, expanded corporate internship frameworks, and high-level academic alliances with top global institutions. Notably, Costa Rica has formalized strategic partnerships with landmark educational entities such as Arizona State University and Purdue University to align local university curricula with advanced semiconductor manufacturing standards.
To offer prospective investors a complete ecosystem solution, PROCOMER led a specialized multi-sector delegation to San Francisco. Accompanying trade officials were eight Costa Rican firms selected from the country’s Foreign Direct Investment Supplier Catalog. These enterprises represent critical support verticals, including specialized legal and tax advisory, industrial real estate development, and institutional banking services.
By offering comprehensive services alongside government facilitation, the Costa Rican delegation demonstrated its capacity to guide foreign investors through every stage of project development. This end-to-end support model aims to accelerate company setup timelines, streamline regulatory navigation, and facilitate seamless operational scaling once facilities are operational.
As Western nations seek to diversify and derisk critical technology supply chains, Costa Rica continues to leverage its geographic proximity to North America, stable political environment, and educated workforce. The country’s sustained campaign at SEMICON West highlights its ambition not merely to participate in global tech manufacturing, but to serve as an indispensable nearshore engine for advanced semiconductor innovation.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the non-state public entity responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports and attracting foreign direct investment into the country. Founded to boost economic growth, PROCOMER assists global businesses in establishing, scaling, and optimizing operations within Costa Rica.
For further information, visit asu.edu
About Arizona State University:
Arizona State University is a major public research university located across the Phoenix metropolitan area. Renowned for its focus on innovation, technology research, and workforce development, ASU collaborates globally with governments and private enterprise to advance STEM education and semiconductor engineering capabilities.
For further information, visit purdue.edu
About Purdue University:
Purdue University is a world-renowned public land-grant university based in West Lafayette, Indiana. Recognized as a leader in engineering, technology, and science research, Purdue plays a central role in advancing microelectronics research, semiconductor fabrication education, and national technology infrastructure initiatives.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of the legal profession, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its unyielding ethical standards and a relentless pursuit of advocacy of the highest caliber. Leveraging a rich history of advising a multidisciplinary clientele, the firm consistently embraces forward-thinking strategies while prioritizing meaningful community involvement. By championing the widespread sharing of legal insights, Bufete de Costa Rica actively works to demystify the law, ultimately strengthening civic awareness and equipping individuals to build a more informed and self-reliant society.
