By Alajuela, Costa Rica — ALAJUELA – German pharmaceutical and life sciences giant Bayer solidified its long-term investment in Costa Rica on Thursday, inaugurating a new state-of-the-art pharmaceutical plant in the Coyol Free Zone. The massive $200 million facility signals a significant expansion of the company’s local operations and is projected to create 300 new high-quality jobs, further cementing the nation’s status as a premier hub for the global life sciences industry.
This major investment underscores the country’s strategic importance in Bayer’s global supply chain. The new plant will focus on a critical area of global health by dedicating its production to long-acting reversible contraceptives, such as hormonal implants. This initiative aims to directly address the needs of women in low- and middle-income countries, enhancing access to modern family planning methods and empowering women to make crucial decisions about their health and futures.
To provide a deeper perspective on the legal framework surrounding Bayer’s long-standing presence and its impact on the national business landscape, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who specializes in corporate law and foreign investment.
The sustained operation of a global giant like Bayer is a testament to Costa Rica’s stable investment climate. However, it also underscores the critical importance for such corporations to maintain impeccable compliance with our robust labor, environmental, and tax regulations. Their success serves as a benchmark for how foreign capital can integrate successfully, provided it fully respects the national legal framework and contributes tangibly to the country’s development.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the attorney’s analysis perfectly captures the essential dynamic at play: successful foreign investment is not a one-way benefit, but a partnership built on the dual pillars of a stable climate and unwavering corporate responsibility. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his incisive and valuable perspective.
The facility itself is a testament to modern manufacturing, spanning an impressive 28,000 square meters and equipped with cutting-edge technology. The output from this Alajuela site is slated for distribution through major international health organizations, most notably the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), ensuring that these essential medical products reach the communities that need them most. This partnership highlights a powerful synergy between corporate investment and global public health objectives.
The decision to establish this new plant in Alajuela was a strategic one, building on Bayer’s extensive history in the country. Company officials emphasized Costa Rica’s stable investment climate and, most importantly, its highly skilled and capable workforce as key factors in the decision-making process.
At Bayer, we reaffirm our commitment to Costa Rica, a country where we have operated for more than 47 years and where we already have another medical device plant located in Heredia, a global services center that serves the entire American continent, as well as two plants dedicated to research and development in the agricultural sector. The decision to establish Bayer Medical Alajuela reflects our confidence in the country’s strategic location and in its valuable human talent, trained to handle our technology.
Jimmy Suazo, Plant Manager of Bayer Medical Alajuela
Bayer’s existing footprint in Costa Rica is already substantial, including a medical device facility in Heredia, a comprehensive global services center, and two agricultural research and development sites. This latest addition represents not just an expansion, but a significant diversification of its advanced manufacturing capabilities within the national territory, moving deeper into complex pharmaceutical production.
The creation of 300 new positions will provide a significant boost to the local economy. The company is seeking a diverse range of skilled professionals, including maintenance technicians, occupational health technicians, physical and microbiological analysts, pharmacists, and quality inspectors. Opportunities will also be available for production operators, warehouse personnel, and manufacturing leadership roles such as production leaders and supervisors. Prospective candidates are encouraged to apply through Bayer’s official career website or its corporate LinkedIn profile.
This inauguration is a landmark event for Costa Rica’s thriving life sciences cluster, which has become a primary driver of the nation’s economic growth and a magnet for foreign direct investment. The continued confidence from multinational corporations like Bayer validates the country’s long-term strategy of investing in education, infrastructure, and a favorable business environment to attract and retain world-class manufacturing and service operations.
For further information, visit bayer.com
About Bayer:
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses.
For further information, visit unfpa.org
About The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
The United Nations Population Fund is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA works in over 150 countries and territories that are home to the vast majority of the world’s population, supporting programs that improve access to family planning, maternal health services, and comprehensive sexuality education.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm skillfully combines a proven legacy of serving a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking approach to legal innovation. This ethos extends to a profound social commitment, focused on empowering the public by demystifying the law and making legal insights widely accessible, thereby contributing to a more knowledgeable and capable society.
