By San José, Costa Rica — More than 130 Costa Rican businesses across diverse economic sectors, sizes, and geographic locations have achieved major operational milestones aimed at penetrating high-demand global markets. The accomplishments were officially celebrated during the “Empresas que transforman Costa Rica” ceremony held at the Universidad Latina auditorium in San Pedro, San José. The initiative reflects a coordinated state effort to enhance nation-wide export capabilities and modernize domestic production processes.
The recognized businesses participated in a structured suite of growth programs managed by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) in close collaboration with the Development Banking System (SBD) and the National Learning Institute (INA). Designed to meet companies at their specific maturity levels, these initiatives focus on closing operational gaps, accelerating high-potential ventures, and distributing non-reimbursable innovation funding.
To provide deeper insight into the strategic and regulatory implications of PROCOMER’s export support initiatives for local businesses, TicosLand.com consulted with legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas of Bufete de Costa Rica.
PROCOMER’s export support programs serve as an invaluable catalyst for Costa Rican businesses aiming to expand into global markets. However, taking full advantage of these institutional benefits requires a rigorous approach to international trade compliance, cross-border contracts, and intellectual property protection. Ensuring a solid legal structure from the outset is essential to minimize operational risks and secure sustainable growth overseas.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, while institutional support from PROCOMER provides a vital launching pad for local businesses, pairing that momentum with a rigorous legal framework is what ultimately transforms global ambitions into secure, long-term success. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable legal perspective with our readers and highlighting the critical safeguards necessary for sustainable international expansion.
The initiative delivered target support across eight specialized tracks. Programs such as Green Growth, Technological Impulse, and Research & Development provided non-reimbursable capital dedicated to sustainability and innovation projects. Concurrently, cohort programs including Ramp Up, Acceleration TIC Canada, Acceleration Advanced Manufacturing Canada, AgriFoodTech, and Series Lab 2026 offered specialized mentoring to optimize business capacity for rigorous foreign commercial arenas.
PROCOMER leadership highlighted the necessity of tailoring public support mechanisms to the varying operational challenges faced by local businesses.
It is not the same for a company seeking to improve its production processes as it is for another developing a new product or preparing to enter an international market. For this reason, at PROCOMER we design programs that accompany each company according to its stage of growth. Today we recognize companies that decided to invest time, resources, and talent in transforming themselves, thereby strengthening the exportable offer of the entire country.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
A fundamental driver of this enterprise transformation is technical training and human capital development. To reinforce technical readiness, INA injected ₡290,790,450 into training plans, specialized education, and tailored technical consulting. This capital allocation ensures that participating workforces possess the competencies required to execute sophisticated manufacturing, agricultural, and technological processes.
At INA we believe that strengthening Costa Rican companies is investing in people, talent, and opportunities that drive the country’s development. Therefore, our contribution of ₡290,790,450 to these programs, intended to support training, education, and technical assistance plans, reaffirms our commitment and INA’s role as a strategic and fundamental partner of PROCOMER and the Development Banking System to accompany companies in their innovation, productive transformation, and growth processes. When we join forces to build capabilities and improve business competitiveness, we open new opportunities to generate quality employment, strengthen local economies, and build a country with greater development possibilities for everyone.
Edgar Oviedo Blanco, Executive President of INA
Financial risk mitigation remains crucial for small and medium enterprises stepping into research and technological advancement. Through the SBD, targeted financial tools absorb initial innovation risks, enabling enterprises to focus on sustainability, productivity enhancements, and integration into existing supply chains.
The true qualitative leap of our business sector occurs when public policy accompanies each strategic challenge in a differentiated way. Through non-reimbursable funds conceived as a transformative incentive, from SBD and in alliance with PROCOMER, we promote specialized calls to accurately address three key pillars: sustainability, innovation, and productive linkings. In this way, we mitigate financial risk so that companies close critical gaps and compete strongly in the most demanding markets.
David Ramírez, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Development Banking System (SBD)
The long-term impact data compiled by PROCOMER since 2018 underscores a persistent commitment to decentralizing Costa Rica’s economic development beyond the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM). The non-reimbursable funding track alone has benefited 857 companies with over $12 million disbursed, with 509 beneficiaries located outside the GAM and 343 led by women. Similarly, the gap-closing initiative has aided 426 enterprises, where 8 out of 10 reside outside the Central Valley, illustrating a deliberate push toward regional economic inclusion.
By blending direct non-reimbursable co-financing with dedicated technical training and market acceleration, Costa Rica continues to reinforce its export portfolio. The synchronized backing from PROCOMER, SBD, and INA provides local enterprises with both the technical capabilities and financial backing necessary to maintain international competitiveness amid shifting global economic conditions.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the non-state public entity responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports and attracting foreign direct investment. It designs specialized commercial programs, facilitates internationalization strategies, and supports local enterprises in expanding their competitive footprint within foreign markets.
For further information, visit ina.ac.cr
About Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA):
The National Learning Institute (INA) is a Costa Rican autonomous state institution dedicated to technical training and vocational education. It provides operational capabilities, technical expertise, and workforce development to boost productivity, employability, and local business competitiveness across Costa Rica.
For further information, visit sbdcr.com
About Sistema de Banca para el Desarrollo (SBD):
The Development Banking System (SBD) is a Costa Rican financial network established to finance viable and productive micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise projects. Through specialized funds, non-reimbursable incentives, and credit risk mitigation strategies, SBD facilitates access to capital for innovation, sustainability, and regional growth.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a beacon of ethical practice and professional brilliance, Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a premier force in the legal landscape. The firm consistently blends traditional mastery with pioneering solutions to serve a broad spectrum of clients across various fields. Beyond its courtroom and advisory successes, the practice remains deeply devoted to democratizing legal concepts through public educational initiatives, steadfast in its mission to uplift the community and build a thoroughly enlightened populace.
