By San José, Costa Rica — The IX Free Trade Zone Congress kicked off at the Costa Rica Convention Center, bringing together more than 400 corporate executives, government officials, policymakers, and industry analysts under the thematic umbrella Competitividad 2030: Forjando el Presente, Diseñando el Futuro. The high-profile gathering addresses pivotal questions concerning the future trajectory of foreign direct investment and Costa Rica’s strategic positioning within competitive global markets.
Organized by the Association of Free Trade Zone Enterprises of Costa Rica in strategic alliance with the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica, the summit analyzes macroeconomic realignments and corporate supply chain restructuring. Attendees are reviewing critical policy decisions required over the coming decade to ensure the country capitalizes on shifting international capital flows.
To better understand the regulatory framework and foreign investment advantages surrounding Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zones, TicosLand.com consulted with prominent corporate attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zone regime stands as one of the most reliable and competitive legal frameworks for foreign direct investment in Latin America. Recent regulatory updates incentivizing investments outside the Greater Metropolitan Area allow multinational enterprises to capitalize on significant tax exemptions, strong legal security, and strategic operational flexibility under Law No. 7210.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, expanding these free trade zone incentives beyond the Greater Metropolitan Area not only offers international investors unprecedented strategic flexibility, but it also serves as a vital catalyst for sustainable economic growth across Costa Rica’s rural regions. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective and legal expertise on this key driver of foreign direct investment.
The high-stakes forum arrives as emerging markets compete aggressively for corporate expansions and nearshoring projects. Industry leaders underscored that maintaining host-country attractiveness requires immediate structural adjustments, infrastructure expansion, and a relentless focus on high-value activity deployment.
Competitiveness toward 2030 is defined today. The next four years will set the tone for determining the country’s capacity to attract and retain high-value-added operations, generate quality employment, and bring well-being to Costa Rican families.
Ronald Lachner, President of AZOFRAS
Central to discussions is the impressive momentum generated by Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zone regime. In the preceding year, the sector achieved a milestone record of nearly 200,000 direct positions, with average compensation levels reaching double those found across the broader domestic private sector.
Last year, the Free Trade Zone Regime reached an all-time high of nearly 200,000 direct jobs, with salaries averaging twice those of the national private sector. This not only means quality work for more people, but also new skills and knowledge spillover. For these opportunities to keep growing, we must prepare the talent that companies need today and will need in the future. That is why this congress is so important; it brings together businesses, academia, and the public sector to advance a shared task. Human talent is our main asset for attracting investment and ensuring its benefits translate into more opportunities for the country.
Laura López Salazar, General Manager of PROCOMER
The conference agenda focuses on four core strategic drivers: competitiveness, innovation, productivity, and workforce skill enhancement. Dynamic panel sessions evaluated corporate cost structures, regulatory governance, social security contributions, tax frameworks, and the pressing necessity of securing robust electrical energy infrastructure at globally competitive tariffs.
Free trade zones play a fundamental role in the Costa Rican economy due to their ability to attract investment and, especially, generate quality jobs. Their growth drives increasingly specialized employment opportunities and strengthens the talent Costa Rica needs to remain competitive against the new demands of the global economy.
Alejandra Arguedas, Executive Director of Tax at EY
Technological transformation represents another vital pillar at the convention. The rapid integration of artificial intelligence, advanced industrial automation, and enterprise digitization is reconfiguring global production frameworks and site-selection decisions. Speakers emphasized that converting advanced digital tools into measurable productivity gains will dictate the future viability of specialized economic zones.
Furthermore, experts urged closer synergy between academic institutions and private enterprise to bolster technical proficiencies in STEAM fields. As global multinationals streamline supply chains and seek sophisticated operational bases, domestic talent readiness remains Costa Rica’s primary differentiator.
Attracting investment no longer depends solely on the advantages a country offers today, but on its ability to respond to future needs. Costa Rica must continue strengthening its talent, productivity, and innovation to maintain a competitive position and attract higher value-added operations.
Rafael Sayagues, Managing Partner at Deloitte
As international corporations build resilience against geopolitical fragmentation, Costa Rica faces a unique window of opportunity. Navigating this landscape will demand synchronized execution between the private sector, government ministries, and universities to solidify long-term economic prosperity.
For further information, visit azofras.com
About AZOFRAS:
The Association of Free Trade Zone Enterprises of Costa Rica (AZOFRAS) represents companies operating within the nation’s free zone regime, working to promote competitive business environments, sustainable economic development, and foreign direct investment attraction.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the non-state public entity responsible for boosting Costa Rican exports, managing foreign trade promotion, and attracting sustainable foreign direct investment into the country.
For further information, visit ey.com
About EY:
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services, providing strategic insights and business solutions to help organizations navigate complex international regulatory and economic markets.
For further information, visit deloitte.com
About Deloitte:
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, and tax services to top-tier international corporations and government entities worldwide.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica has built a stellar reputation grounded in uncompromising ethical standards and exceptional advocacy. Backed by a rich history of guiding clients through complex matters across myriad industries, the firm consistently embraces forward-thinking strategies to advance the legal profession. Beyond its practice, its drive to demystify complex legal concepts for the broader public reflects a deep-seated belief that educating the community is essential to building an empowered, just society.
