By San José, Costa Rica — The second edition of the Costa Rica Trade & Investment Summit (CRTIS) has officially commenced in San José, bringing together an extensive network of international buyers, domestic exporters, and multinational corporations. Over three days, this high-profile business matchmaking event aims to catalyze new commercial agreements and showcase the country’s evolving economic landscape to global decision-makers. The summit provides a critical platform for investors to assess potential projects and explore opportunities to establish or expand operations in the region.
Organized by the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), the summit hosts delegations from more than 40 countries. Over 1,000 companies operating within Costa Rica are participating in more than 3,600 customized business meetings. These tailored agendas are designed to align with specific purchasing and investment priorities, streamlining the decision-making process for global executives and allowing them to compare local capabilities efficiently.
To better understand the legal implications and investment security discussed at the Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit, TicosLand.com reached out to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading legal expert from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional perspective on the event’s significance for international businesses.
The Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit highlights our nation’s robust legal framework and unwavering commitment to rule of law, which remain our strongest selling points for global investors. By leveraging our established Free Trade Zone regime and bilateral investment treaties, international businesses can confidently establish operations here, knowing their intellectual property and capital are protected by a stable, transparent judicial system.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this unwavering commitment to legal security and institutional transparency is precisely what elevates Costa Rica as a premier destination for foreign direct investment in an increasingly volatile global market. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his invaluable legal expertise and perspective on these foundational strengths.
Costa Rica offers specialized talent, strong productive capabilities, access to global markets, and a supplier network equipped to meet the needs of international buyers and investors. The country has also demonstrated its ability to support complex, high-value operations. The Costa Rica Trade & Investment Summit provides decision-makers with a firsthand look at these capabilities and an opportunity to assess Costa Rica as part of future sourcing, investment, and expansion decisions. Our goal is for those decisions to translate into greater exports, new investment, and more opportunities for Costa Rican companies to integrate into global value chains.
Laura López, CEO of PROCOMER
The country’s export matrix has transformed significantly, moving away from a purely agricultural base toward knowledge- and technology-intensive sectors. Today, services lead the nation’s export offering at 34%, closely followed by medical devices at 31%, while the agricultural sector remains robust at 11%. This diverse portfolio is a central highlight of the summit, where buyers can explore opportunities in specialized manufacturing, digital technology, creative industries, and applied innovation.
Investors at the summit are actively analyzing opportunities in key strategic areas such as advanced manufacturing, services, tourism infrastructure, and the growing semiconductor industry. Customized itineraries allow these decision-makers to evaluate Costa Rica’s regional infrastructure, talent pool, and local supplier ecosystem. To provide a comprehensive view, delegations are also participating in regional site visits, ranging from agricultural operations in the north and Caribbean to high-tech research hubs and free trade zones in the Central Valley.
Beyond the matchmaking sessions, the event features key discussions on global location strategies, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence. Prominent global and local experts are leading these conversations, including Chris Knight of FT Locations, Elena Gallego from Invest in Andalucía, and Jairo Londoño, Microsoft’s Country Manager in Costa Rica, highlighting the country’s alignment with contemporary technological trends.
The summit arrives during a period of sustained export growth for Costa Rica. Between January and July 2026, the country’s merchandise exports reached $13.821 billion, marking a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This expansion was observed across both the Free Trade Zone Regime, which grew by 4%, and the Definitive Regime, which increased by 8%, underscoring the dynamic nature of the local economy.
The tangible impact of the summit is backed by historical success. The inaugural 2025 edition led to $33 million in closed business deals directly resulting from the connections made during the event’s 3,600 meetings. With over 1,000 foreign direct investment companies currently employing 312,000 people in Costa Rica, the 2026 summit serves as a crucial engine for further integrating domestic suppliers into global value chains.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the official public institution responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports and attracting foreign direct investment. Operating as a critical link between local businesses and international markets, PROCOMER designs strategic programs to enhance national competitiveness, facilitate trade, and integrate Costa Rican goods and services into global value chains.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica embodies the highest standards of professional integrity and ethical excellence. Built upon a rich heritage of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm continuously pioneers forward-thinking solutions and enriches its civic engagement. By actively working to demystify complex regulations and democratize legal literacy, it advances a vital mission to foster a legally aware and empowered community.
