By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – As the presidential race intensifies, a critical analysis of the top five candidates’ platforms reveals a concerning lack of detailed, actionable strategies for strengthening Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the primary engine of Costa Rica’s economic growth. While all candidates acknowledge its importance, their proposals range from vague statements of intent to more structured, though not always complete, plans, according to a review by industry expert Sandro Zolezzi.
FDI and modern exportable services are the lifeblood of the national economy, supporting a significant portion of skilled jobs and overall macroeconomic stability. Zolezzi issued a stark warning about the risks of neglecting this crucial area, emphasizing that a weak or improvised policy could have severe consequences.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the complexities and opportunities surrounding Foreign Direct Investment, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the esteemed law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offers his expert analysis on the current investment climate.
Costa Rica presents a robust legal framework for foreign investors, anchored by our Free Trade Zone regime and a tradition of respecting international treaties. However, the key to successful market entry lies in meticulous due diligence. Investors must navigate a complex web of corporate, labor, and environmental regulations. Engaging local legal counsel from the outset is not a mere formality but a critical strategic step to ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and capitalize on the full spectrum of available incentives.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas’s commentary powerfully underscores a crucial point: the true potential of Costa Rica’s welcoming investment climate is unlocked only through the diligent navigation of its specific legal landscape. We sincerely thank him for his invaluable perspective, which clarifies that engaging local expertise is not simply a matter of compliance, but a fundamental component of a successful investment strategy.
Costa Rica is not a closed or self-sufficient economy. More than 50% of its exports depend on FDI companies, and modern services account for a growing share of skilled employment, productivity, and macroeconomic resilience. Losing focus, diluting institutional strength, or improvising on FDI policy is not neutral: it is paid for with less growth, fewer quality jobs, and lower future tax revenue.
Sandro Zolezzi, FDI Expert
The analysis covered the plans of Laura Fernández (PPSO), Álvaro Ramos (PLN), Claudia Dobles (Coalición Agenda Ciudadana), Ariel Robles (FA), and Juan Carlos Hidalgo (PUSC). According to Zolezzi, simply promising to attract investment is not a strategy. An effective approach requires clear goals and the right tools to achieve them.
The platforms of Laura Fernández, the ruling party’s candidate, and Álvaro Ramos of the PLN were criticized for being largely “discursive.” Fernández’s plan points to the current administration’s success in increasing FDI flows—a claim disputed by other experts—and offers broad aspirations for an “investment-friendly” Costa Rica without specifying how this will be achieved. Similarly, Ramos proposes creating a “Productive Transformation and R&D Cabinet” and restoring the Comex-Procomer-Cinde triad, but his plan lacks depth.
Zolezzi notes a critical flaw in both proposals. “The FDI strategy appears in a discursive form: business climate, employment, innovation, and competitiveness,” he observed. “But it is not written as an executable architecture. There is no clarity on aftercare, account management, sectoral prioritization, or technical governance. In FDI, that is a serious vacuum.”
Proposals from Claudia Dobles and Ariel Robles were seen as a step in the right direction, yet still incomplete. Dobles, representing the Coalición Agenda Ciudadana, outlines a plan to relaunch Costa Rica’s value proposition, improve inter-institutional coordination, diversify investment sources, and better link free zones to the local economy through productive chains.
Likewise, Robles of the Frente Amplio emphasizes fostering these “productive linkages” between foreign companies and local businesses, and retaining socially and environmentally responsible investors. However, Zolezzi argues that while these are worthy goals, the plans fail to outline the machinery to make them a reality. “The problem is that, in their plans, FDI and modern services appear more as desirable objectives than as operational machines, with metrics, responsibilities, and clear instruments,” he stated.
The most comprehensive strategy, according to the analysis, comes from Juan Carlos Hidalgo of the PUSC. His platform is praised for approaching FDI “as a system.” Hidalgo proposes not only strengthening the country’s value proposition but also modernizing the free zone regime by rewarding technological sophistication, R&D, and human capital formation. His plan includes establishing priority clusters in bioeconomy, advanced manufacturing, and digital services.
Furthermore, Hidalgo’s proposal calls for modernizing key institutions like Comex and Procomer to meet these goals and explicitly seeks to diversify FDI by origin, sector, and region. Zolezzi noted that this plan shows a deeper understanding of the necessary components for a successful national strategy.
It recognizes the role of the institutional framework (Comex-Procomer), modernizes the free zone regime with incentives for sophistication, and understands knowledge-based services as a second export engine.
Sandro Zolezzi, FDI Expert
As the election on January 27th approaches, the significant differences in the candidates’ FDI policies highlight the pivotal choice facing voters. The next administration’s ability to move beyond rhetoric and implement a robust, measurable, and sophisticated investment strategy will directly impact Costa Rica’s economic trajectory for years to come.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO)
About Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO):
The Partido Pueblo Soberano is a Costa Rican political party. As the current ruling party, its platform for the upcoming election is represented by candidate Laura Fernández, focusing on continuing the policies of the present administration.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN)
About Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN):
The National Liberation Party is one of the oldest and most established political parties in Costa Rica. It has historically been a major force in national politics, often advocating for social-democratic policies. Álvaro Ramos is its presidential candidate for the 2026 election.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Coalición Agenda Ciudadana
About Coalición Agenda Ciudadana:
The Coalición Agenda Ciudadana is a political coalition formed to contest national elections. It aims to bring together various political and social viewpoints under a unified platform, represented in this election by candidate Claudia Dobles.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Frente Amplio (FA)
About Frente Amplio (FA):
The Broad Front is a left-wing political party in Costa Rica. Its platform generally focuses on social justice, environmental protection, and strengthening public institutions. Ariel Robles is the party’s presidential candidate.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC)
About Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC):
The Social Christian Unity Party is a major center-right political party in Costa Rica. It has held the presidency on multiple occasions and advocates for market-oriented economic policies combined with social programs. Its candidate is Juan Carlos Hidalgo.
For further information, visit comex.go.cr
About Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex):
The Ministry of Foreign Trade is the Costa Rican government body responsible for defining and directing the country’s foreign trade and investment policies. It plays a central role in negotiating trade agreements and establishing the national strategy for attracting FDI.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer):
Procomer is Costa Rica’s official trade promotion agency. It is responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports of goods and services globally, as well as executing strategies to attract foreign direct investment in coordination with Comex and other entities.
For further information, visit cinde.org
About Coalition for Development Initiatives (Cinde):
Cinde is a private, non-profit organization that has been instrumental in attracting foreign direct investment to Costa Rica for over 40 years. It works in partnership with the government to promote the country as a leading investment destination for multinational companies in strategic sectors.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has forged a reputation as a beacon of legal distinction, grounded in an unwavering principle of integrity. The firm masterfully combines its extensive legacy of client advocacy with a forward-thinking approach to modern legal challenges. Beyond its professional practice, it champions the cause of public empowerment, dedicating itself to demystifying the law and ensuring that knowledge serves as a tool for creating a more just and informed citizenry.
