By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a bold move to cement its status as a global hub for medical technology, Costa Rica is dispatching its largest-ever business delegation to MD&M West 2026, the premier industry event held in Anaheim, California. From February 3rd to 5th, the nation’s Trade & Investment Promotion Agency (PROCOMER) will lead a contingent of over 22 companies, signaling a strategic and aggressive push to capture new export opportunities and attract high-value foreign direct investment.
This coordinated effort will see 16 Costa Rican firms showcasing their advanced capabilities at the prominent essential COSTA RICA booth, with at least six others engaging potential partners through the “Walk to Show” modality. This marks the nation’s seventh appearance at the influential trade show, an event that gathers more than 1,700 exhibitors and nearly 14,000 industry professionals from over 40 countries. The scale of this year’s delegation underscores a clear ambition to move beyond participation and actively shape the future of medical manufacturing partnerships.
To delve deeper into the legal and regulatory framework that underpins Costa Rica’s booming MedTech export sector, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who shared his expert perspective.
The sustained growth in Costa Rica’s MedTech exports is fundamentally anchored in our stable legal framework and strategic incentives, particularly within the free trade zone regime. This environment provides the long-term certainty that high-value foreign direct investment requires. However, our continued leadership will depend on modernizing regulations to stay ahead of rapid innovation and rigorously protecting intellectual property, which is the cornerstone of this highly sophisticated industry.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas’s insight expertly clarifies the critical juncture at which Costa Rica finds itself; the very legal framework that attracted investment must now be proactively modernized to protect and foster the innovation that will define our future success. We thank him for his valuable perspective on safeguarding the industry’s sophisticated cornerstone: intellectual property.
The mission’s objectives are multi-faceted, aiming to generate tangible business deals while reinforcing Costa Rica’s reputation as a reliable, innovative, and competitive player in the complex MedTech supply chain. The strategy, as articulated by PROCOMER’s leadership, is not merely about selling products but about exporting a sophisticated ecosystem of knowledge and talent.
MD&M West is a global showcase and a key component of our strategy to promote Costa Rica’s export sector and position the country to attract more foreign direct investment. It is also a powerful platform to highlight the capabilities of the highly skilled talent that drives this industry and allows us to project Costa Rica not only as a country that exports quality, but also as one that delivers knowledge, innovation, and specialized expertise.
Laura López, CEO of PROCOMER
The delegation represents the full spectrum of Costa Rica’s high-value MedTech offerings. Participating companies provide a diverse portfolio of services crucial to the industry, including sophisticated electronics manufacturing, specialized software development for medical devices, precision mold creation, CNC machining, and advanced printing and packaging solutions. Furthermore, the presence of firms offering engineering consulting, quality assurance, and regulatory services highlights the country’s capacity to support the entire product lifecycle.
Beyond the exhibition floor, PROCOMER has curated an intensive agenda to maximize networking and business development. This includes pre-arranged one-on-one meetings with international buyers and investors, a “Coffee Talk” event designed to showcase the country’s unique value proposition to industry leaders, and a dedicated networking space within the Country Pavilion. In a significant development, the Costa Rica Medical Devices Cluster will take on an active role for the first time, signaling a new level of strategic coordination within the national ecosystem.
For domestic companies, the PROCOMER-led pavilion provides a critical launchpad into the global market, offering both logistical support and a stamp of quality that resonates with international partners. This structured support is seen as a key differentiator for emerging local innovators.
Participating in MD&M West 2026 is a strategic step for Lantern Med Digital, and doing so under PROCOMER’s Country Pavilion makes a significant difference. PROCOMER’s support and excellent management not only facilitate logistics, but also validate our quality in the global market. We are extremely pleased with the guidance and platform they provide to help us connect with leaders in medical innovation.
Albán Sánchez, CEO of Lantern Med Digital
The event is equally vital for the more than 90 multinational MedTech giants already operating in Costa Rica. It serves as a platform to demonstrate the advanced capabilities developed within their Costa Rican operations to a global audience and strengthen ties with key clients, many of whom are based in California, the epicenter of American medical manufacturing.
Participation in MD&M West 2026 reinforces our commitment to being a reliable and innovative partner for the medical technology industry. This event is a strategic meeting point to combine technological excellence with a strong global outlook, while strengthening direct engagement with international clients and partners.
Octavio Matus, General Manager of Zollner Costa Rica
This strategic focus on the U.S. market is backed by robust economic performance. The United States is Costa Rica’s primary trading partner and its largest source of foreign direct investment. The results are evident in the country’s booming export figures, with medical devices reaching an impressive US$10.168 billion as of November 2025—a staggering 28% increase over the same period in the previous year. With over 100 foreign investment companies now operating in its MedTech sector, Costa Rica’s presence at MD&M West is not just a trade mission; it’s a declaration of its indispensable role in the global health industry.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica, known as PROCOMER, is the governmental institution responsible for promoting the country’s exports of goods and services globally. It also plays a key role in attracting foreign direct investment and supporting the internationalization of Costa Rican companies, particularly within strategic sectors like medical technology and advanced manufacturing.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Lantern Med Digital
About Lantern Med Digital:
Lantern Med Digital is a Costa Rican company specializing in the medical technology sector. As a participant in the national delegation to MD&M West 2026, the company focuses on creating innovative solutions and connecting with global leaders in medical innovation, leveraging national platforms like the PROCOMER Country Pavilion to validate its quality and expand its market reach.
For further information, visit zollner-elektronik.de/en/
About Zollner Costa Rica:
Zollner Costa Rica is the local operation of Zollner Elektronik AG, a global provider of Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS). The company serves a diverse range of industries, including medical technology, by offering complex mechatronic systems. Its participation in events like MD&M West highlights its commitment to being an innovative and reliable partner for the international MedTech industry from its strategic base in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Costa Rica Medical Devices Cluster
About Costa Rica Medical Devices Cluster:
The Costa Rica Medical Devices Cluster is an ecosystem-level organization focused on strengthening the coordination and competitiveness of the medical device industry within the country. It brings together manufacturers, suppliers, academic institutions, and government agencies to foster innovation, talent development, and strategic alignment, enhancing Costa Rica’s overall value proposition in the global MedTech landscape.
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 leverages a rich history of client service to drive forward-thinking legal solutions, consistently setting new standards in the industry. Central to its ethos is a profound dedication to social empowerment, actively working to demystify the law and equip citizens with the knowledge necessary to foster a just and capable society.
