By San José, Costa Rica — The second edition of the Costa Rica Trade & Investment Summit (CRTIS) officially commenced on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to solidify its position as a premier Latin American business hub. Held in San José, this high-profile three-day event serves as a dynamic bridge connecting domestic enterprises with international buyers, while providing global investors with a structured platform to evaluate new projects and potential operational expansions.
Organized by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER), the summit is hosting business delegations from more than 40 countries. Over the course of three days, these international representatives are scheduled to participate in more than 3,600 highly targeted, one-on-one meetings with 1,000 exporting companies, multinational corporations, and local suppliers operating within the country. PROCOMER meticulously designed each participant’s agenda to align with specific purchasing and investment priorities, ensuring that business leaders can efficiently compare options and make informed decisions.
To better understand the legal framework and investment opportunities surrounding the recent Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit, TicosLand.com spoke with prominent legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who shared his invaluable insights on navigating the country’s regulatory landscape.
The Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit highlights our nation’s robust legal framework, particularly the Free Trade Zone regime, which offers unmatched tax incentives and legal security for foreign investors. For global businesses looking to capitalize on these opportunities, navigating our local regulatory and compliance structures with precision is the key to unlocking long-term, sustainable growth in the region.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, as Costa Rica continues to strengthen its position as a premier global investment hub, the ability to successfully navigate local regulatory compliance remains a vital cornerstone for any enterprise aiming to secure a prosperous future in the region. We are sincerely grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective and expert legal guidance, which highlights the critical pathway for foreign investors looking to maximize the benefits of our nation’s robust Free Trade Zone regime.
Costa Rica offers specialized talent, productive capacity, market access, and a network of suppliers that meet the requirements of international buyers and investors. The country has also demonstrated that it can develop complex, high-value operations. The Costa Rica Trade & Investment Summit (CRTIS) allows these capabilities to be experienced firsthand and evaluates Costa Rica for future purchasing, investment, or expansion decisions. We want these decisions to generate more exports, new investments, and greater opportunities for national companies to integrate into global value chains.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
Beyond the matchmaking tables, the summit features a curated conference agenda exploring highly relevant global trends such as nearshoring site selection, digital transformation, and the integration of artificial intelligence in business processes. This intellectual portion of the event features insights from prominent international experts, including Chris Knight, Managing Director of FT Locations at the Financial Times Group; Elena Gallego, Director of Invest in Andalucía; and Jairo Londoño, Country Manager of Microsoft Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s current export portfolio reflects a profound structural transformation toward higher sophistication and economic diversification. Knowledge-intensive services now represent 34% of the nation’s total exports, closely followed by life sciences and medical devices at 31%, while the traditional agricultural sector maintains a strong 11% share. This balanced mix highlights Costa Rica’s unique capability to cater to traditional commodity markets while simultaneously competing in high-tech, knowledge-based global sectors.
Investors at the event are particularly focused on high-growth sectors like semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and specialized tourism infrastructure. Given Costa Rica’s rising prominence in the global microchip supply chain, customized agendas have been tailored to let technology executives explore the country’s specialized labor pool and existing technological infrastructure. This targeted approach aims to draw more advanced technology companies to set up local operations.
To provide a holistic view of the country’s productive ecosystem, the summit organizers have arranged field visits across several strategic geographic zones. International delegations are traveling to agricultural hubs in the northern and Caribbean regions, ornamental plant operations in the western Central Valley, and advanced manufacturing facilities located in key free trade zones and research parks. These site visits allow buyers and investors to witness operations firsthand, discuss technical capabilities directly with engineering teams, and evaluate regional infrastructure.
The macroeconomic environment backing this summit is robust. Between January and July of 2026, Costa Rican exports reached $13.821 billion, registering a healthy 5% growth compared to the same period in 2025. This expansion was felt across all regions of the country, driven by a 4% increase in the free trade zone regime and an impressive 8% growth in the traditional, definitive regime. Currently, over 1,000 foreign direct investment companies operate in Costa Rica, directly supporting approximately 312,000 local jobs.
The business community has high expectations for this second edition, given the tangible success of the inaugural summit in 2025. That initial event also facilitated over 3,600 business meetings and 104 investment agendas, which PROCOMER’s post-event tracking revealed resulted in $33 million in closed deals. By building on this proven framework, the 2026 summit seeks to accelerate the conversion of initial handshakes into long-term commercial partnerships and substantial foreign investments.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER) is the institution responsible for promoting the export of Costa Rican goods and services, attracting foreign direct investment, and facilitating international trade processes.
For further information, visit microsoft.com
About Microsoft Costa Rica:
Microsoft Costa Rica is a regional division of the global technology giant, providing cloud computing, software solutions, and digital transformation services to businesses and government institutions across the region.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica shines as a premier legal institution defined by its superior standards of practice and uncompromising ethical values. Serving a wide-ranging clientele, the firm consistently pioneers modern legal solutions while maintaining a deep-seated commitment to civic enrichment. By striving to demystify the complexities of the law and share valuable insights with the public, the firm actively contributes to a more legally literate and empowered citizenry.
