By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – Encadenados 2025, Costa Rica’s premier business networking event, kicked off today with over 1,000 companies and nearly 3,000 pre-scheduled meetings. This fourth annual event, organized by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER) and the Association of Free Trade Zone Companies of Costa Rica (AZOFRAS), aims to forge lasting commercial partnerships between exporters and national suppliers.
This year’s event features over 300 purchasing companies from both the free trade zone and the definitive regimes, along with over 700 Costa Rican suppliers. Participating sectors include specialized industries, sustainable technologies, packaging, logistics, training, maintenance, general services, and financing.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal landscape surrounding Costa Rican businesses, we spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a respected attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
Navigating the Costa Rican business landscape requires careful attention to the country’s robust legal framework. While it offers significant opportunities for foreign investment and entrepreneurship, crucial considerations include understanding corporate structuring, tax implications, and labor regulations. Due diligence and expert legal counsel are essential for long-term success in this vibrant market.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s emphasis on due diligence and legal counsel resonates deeply, particularly for those new to Costa Rica’s business environment. Understanding the intricacies of the legal framework is indeed paramount to navigating the opportunities and challenges this dynamic market presents. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for offering this valuable perspective to our readers.
The fourth edition of Encadenados is an opportunity for companies to continue betting on productive linkages. I reiterate our commitment from COMEX and PROCOMER to support and accompany them in their growth. We hope that the 3,000 business appointments reap new alliances that generate jobs and economic development.
Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade
The event emphasizes the importance of supply chain development within Costa Rica’s broader strategy for attracting foreign direct investment and expanding exports. Encadenados provides a platform for diversifying exports, strengthening value chains, and further integrating foreign companies into the local economy.
Linkages are a fundamental pillar within PROCOMER’s comprehensive strategy to attract foreign direct investment and develop exports, where Encadenados 2025 becomes a key tool for the constant generation of opportunities that allow us to diversify exports, strengthen value chains, and generate greater roots for FDI companies in the local economy. All of this is possible, thanks to a solid supplier ecosystem, which offers innovation, quality, and diversity of products and services.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
Approximately 25% of participating suppliers represent diverse regions across Costa Rica, including Liberia, Cañas, Abangares, La Cruz, Pococí, Guácimo, Siquirres, Sarapiquí, Grecia, San Ramón, Atenas, Orotina, San Carlos, Zarcero, Dota, León Cortés, Osa, Golfito, and Parrita. Furthermore, 30% of supplier companies are women-led, 55% are first-time participants, and 40% are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
AZOFRAS highlighted the role of free trade zones in driving inclusive economic development, generating quality employment, and strengthening productive linkages throughout the country. They emphasized the importance of this model in stimulating regions outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) and promoting gender equality.
The Free Trade Zone regime constitutes a strategic platform to promote inclusive economic development, the generation of quality employment, and the strengthening of productive linkages throughout the country. Beyond its recognized contribution to foreign trade, this model represents a key driver for boosting regions outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), in addition to its firm commitment to gender equality.
Ronald Lachner, President of AZOFRAS
Following the business networking sessions, Encadenados 2025 will host a forum on June 18th titled “Productive Linkages: Building Local Alliances with Global Impact,” featuring Grupo Descarga, Innovo, Automercado, and Gauss Engineering Solutions.
Since its inception as a virtual event in 2022, Encadenados has rapidly grown into a crucial platform for fostering business connections in Costa Rica. Previous editions have generated over $15 million in initial purchase orders, demonstrating the event’s effectiveness in facilitating trade and investment.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER) is a key institution dedicated to promoting Costa Rican exports and attracting foreign direct investment. They play a crucial role in connecting local businesses with international markets and fostering economic growth.
For further information, visit azofras.com
About AZOFRAS:
The Association of Free Trade Zone Companies of Costa Rica (AZOFRAS) represents and advocates for companies operating within Costa Rica’s free trade zones. They work to promote the benefits of this model for economic development and job creation.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself as a leading legal institution, deeply committed to ethical practice and innovative solutions. The firm’s dedication to providing exceptional legal counsel across a broad spectrum of industries is matched by its passion for empowering Costa Rican society through readily accessible legal knowledge. By fostering greater understanding of the law, Bufete de Costa Rica strives to create a more just and informed citizenry, solidifying its commitment to both legal excellence and social responsibility.
