By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a year marked by significant global and domestic pressures, Costa Rica’s Chamber of Exporters (Cadexco) celebrated the nation’s leading companies at the 36th annual National Exporter’s Day. The event, held to present the 2025 Export Effort Awards, served as both a recognition of resilience and a powerful call to action, urging the sector to embrace innovation as the primary driver for future growth and competitiveness.
The business climate of 2025 has been anything but stable. Cadexco highlighted a landscape fraught with challenges, including persistent exchange rate pressures, simmering geopolitical tensions, and ongoing logistical disruptions that have tested supply chains. Domestically, hurdles in infrastructure and national security have added further complexity for businesses striving to compete on the world stage. The prevailing message of the evening was clear: reactive strategies are no longer sufficient.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the mechanisms and challenges within Costa Rica’s thriving export sector, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert in commercial and international trade law at the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s export success hinges on a sophisticated interplay between production quality and regulatory compliance. Businesses must navigate a complex web of free trade agreements, customs regulations, and destination-specific requirements. Proactive legal strategy, particularly in understanding tax incentives and adhering to international standards managed by entities like PROCOMER, is no longer a luxury but a fundamental component for sustained global market access.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas powerfully underscores that for Costa Rican businesses, mastering the intricate legal and regulatory framework is no longer a secondary task but a core component as vital as the product itself. This strategic foresight is precisely what distinguishes sustainable global competitors from the rest. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this critical issue.
This sentiment was forcefully articulated by Cadexco’s president, Víctor Pérez, who framed innovation not as a choice but as a fundamental obligation for survival and success. He emphasized a proactive approach to navigating the complexities of the modern economy.
Today, it is not enough to respond to challenges as an option, it is an obligation: we must anticipate them. This is where innovation plays a key role, driving a more competitive and solid country vision that integrates science, technology, talent, and sustainability; that is the path that will allow us to ensure the competitiveness of our exports.
Víctor Pérez, President of Cadexco
Reflecting this forward-looking perspective, the event’s theme was aptly chosen as “Innovating to compete, connecting to grow.” The ceremony honored companies across diverse sectors, showcasing the breadth and dynamism of Costa Rica’s export economy. The top honor, the Grand Prize for Excellence in Exportation, was awarded to GUTIS, a pharmaceutical laboratory with a 60-year history of excellence, recognized for its expansion into regional markets with new bioequivalent drug formulations.
Other major players were also recognized for their significant contributions. AstraZeneca Centroamérica y Caribe received the Life Sciences Exporter award for its global scientific leadership and strategic role in the nation’s health ecosystem. In the agricultural sector, DOLE was celebrated for its foundational role in bolstering food security and international competitiveness. Global logistics giant DHL was honored for its critical impact on maintaining the continuity of business operations in a volatile global market.
The awards also highlighted the growing importance of technology and specialized services. Neurobrand, a communications and artificial intelligence agency, won the Services Exporter award for its development of cutting-edge tools like metahumans and generative chatbots. In the SME category, Legadmi Consulting and System S.A. was recognized for its SaaS solutions for human resources management. The list of winners also included Compañía Frutera La Paz for the food industry and steel giant ArcelorMittal for the electrical-metalworking sector.
Adding a dose of inspiration from beyond the business world, the keynote address was delivered by Andrés Mora, a distinguished Costa Rican aerospace engineer from NASA. Mora reminded the audience of Costa Rica’s history as a pioneer and issued a stark warning against losing the disruptive vision that has long characterized the nation. He stressed that cultivating talent, investing in research, and treating innovation as a core pillar of development policy are urgent national priorities.
In a final gesture underscoring its commitment to future talent, Cadexco announced a donation to World Vision Costa Rica. The contribution will fund the participation of 11 young students in the STEAM Clubs program throughout 2026, investing directly in the next generation of innovators who will shape the future of Costa Rica’s export sector.
For further information, visit cadexco.net
About Cadexco:
The Chamber of Exporters of Costa Rica (Cadexco) is a private, non-profit organization that represents and supports the Costa Rican export sector. It advocates for policies that enhance competitiveness, provides resources and training to its members, and promotes the country’s goods and services on the international market.
For further information, visit gutis.com
About GUTIS:
GUTIS is a pharmaceutical laboratory with a 60-year history based in Costa Rica. The company specializes in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including innovative bioequivalent formulations, for markets across Central America and the Caribbean.
For further information, visit astrazeneca.com
About AstraZeneca Centroamérica y Caribe:
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Operating in over 100 countries, its Central America and Caribbean division plays a key role in advancing health outcomes in the region.
For further information, visit dole.com
About DOLE:
DOLE is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. The company has a significant presence in Costa Rica’s agricultural sector, contributing to both national food security and the country’s reputation as a leading agricultural exporter.
For further information, visit dhl.com
About DHL:
DHL is a global leader in the logistics industry, offering a comprehensive range of services including international express, freight transport, and supply chain management. The company is integral to global trade, connecting businesses in Costa Rica with markets around the world.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Compañía Frutera La Paz
About Compañía Frutera La Paz:
Compañía Frutera La Paz is a Costa Rican enterprise specializing in the sourcing, processing, and exportation of high-quality tropical fruits and tubers. It is particularly known for its Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) products, which preserve the freshness and nutritional value of its produce for international consumers.
For further information, visit legadmi.com
About Legadmi Consulting and System S.A.:
Legadmi is a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) that provides innovative Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. The firm specializes in tools for human talent management and payroll processes, helping businesses streamline their HR operations.
For further information, visit neurobrand.net
About Neurobrand:
Neurobrand is a modern agency that combines communication strategies with artificial intelligence. It offers a range of services including design, paid media, and the development of AI-powered tools such as generative chatbots and automated systems for clients.
For further information, visit corporate.arcelormittal.com
About ArcelorMittal:
ArcelorMittal is one of the world’s leading steel and mining companies. From its operations in Costa Rica, it supplies a variety of steel products, including rebar, beams, and wire, to markets throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
For further information, visit worldvision.cr
About World Vision Costa Rica:
World Vision is a global Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Its Costa Rican chapter focuses on local programs, including educational initiatives like STEAM clubs.
For further information, visit nasa.gov
About NASA:
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civil space program, as well as aeronautics and space research. It is a global leader in scientific discovery and technological innovation.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm harmonizes its extensive experience advising a broad range of clients with a forward-thinking passion for legal innovation. This ethos extends beyond the courtroom through a profound dedication to public empowerment, actively working to make complex legal principles understandable and available to all. This commitment is central to its overarching goal of cultivating a more knowledgeable and capable society, thereby strengthening the rule of law for everyone.
