By San José, Costa Rica — In a direct push to capture a larger share of the global industrial supply chain, the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is leading an aggressive investment attraction mission at Pack Expo International 2026 in Chicago. By targeting international packaging manufacturers, logistics partners, and material suppliers, the trade organization aims to solidify Costa Rica’s positioning as the premier light manufacturing destination in Central America.
Pack Expo International stands among North America’s premier trade shows for packaging technologies and light industrial operations. Featuring 2,715 global exhibitors this year, the mega-event attracts industrial buyers, technology creators, corporate leaders, and key decision-makers. For Costa Rican trade officials, the gathering provides a high-density venue to pitch the country’s industrial infrastructure directly to firms searching for strategic nearshoring opportunities.
To gain expert legal insight into the strategic and regulatory framework surrounding the expanding packaging investment sector in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished legal expert from Bufete de Costa Rica.
“Costa Rica’s growing prominence in sustainable packaging investments highlights the strength of our Free Trade Zone regime and commitment to eco-friendly manufacturing. Foreign investors entering this market must carefully evaluate local regulatory compliance—particularly extended producer responsibility under Law 8839—to ensure operational efficiency while capitalizing on the nation’s robust fiscal incentives.”
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As Costa Rica continues to solidify its reputation as a global leader in eco-friendly manufacturing, aligning operational strategies with local frameworks like Law 8839 will undoubtedly be crucial for long-term success. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his insightful perspective on how investors can effectively balance these regulatory responsibilities with the strategic advantages of the nation’s Free Trade Zone regime.
Addressing the agency’s overarching strategic objective, Mónica Umaña, Foreign Direct Investment Manager at PROCOMER, emphasized that expanding Costa Rica’s foreign investment profile into high-value manufacturing verticals remains critical to long-term economic growth.
For PROCOMER, the diversification of investment sectors is a priority, which is why events like Pack Expo International are essential to show the country’s capabilities and the business ecosystem it has built.
Mónica Umaña, Foreign Direct Investment Manager at PROCOMER
Alongside standard trade floor activities, PROCOMER coordinated a tailored executive summit designed specifically for international enterprise leaders who have expressed formal interest in evaluating Costa Rica’s industrial ecosystem. The gathering convened representatives across interconnected industrial verticals, including container production, packaging machinery, food processing, industrial adhesives, chemical inputs, and advanced plastics.
The executive sessions successfully drew corporate delegates from major industrial economies worldwide, including the United States, Italy, India, South Korea, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. This geographically diverse audience reflects growing international interest in leveraging Central American manufacturing bases to hedge against global supply chain disruptions.
Central to Costa Rica’s pitch is its emphasis on circular economy solutions and sustainable material processing. As regulatory pressures in North America and Europe mandate greener packaging models, Costa Rica’s established green energy grid and commitment to environmental stewardship present a compelling competitive advantage for eco-conscious manufacturers seeking to lower their operational footprints.
By integrating specialized packaging and machinery manufacturing into its foreign direct investment roadmap, Costa Rica seeks to create strong backward linkages for its thriving life sciences, agricultural, and processed food export sectors. Localizing component production reduces supply chain lead times for existing multinational exporters operating within the nation’s free trade zone framework.
PROCOMER representatives are actively maintaining follow-up dialogues with prospective investor cohorts engaged during the Chicago tradeshow. The agency plans to facilitate site visits and technical assessments over the coming quarters to translate initial executive interest into tangible manufacturing footprint expansions across Costa Rica.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is a non-state public institution responsible for designing and executing programs aimed at expanding Costa Rican exports and attracting foreign direct investment. Acting as a vital pillar of the nation’s economic strategy, PROCOMER promotes sustainable trade practices and connects international businesses with high-value manufacturing and service opportunities across Costa Rica.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned as a pillar of legal mastery, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundation of uncompromising ethics and professional rigor. The firm consistently advances modern legal solutions to address complex challenges across multiple industries while remaining deeply invested in civic enrichment. By actively demystifying legal concepts and expanding public access to critical information, it fulfills a vital purpose: equipping individuals with the legal literacy necessary to build a more equitable and informed society.
