A delegation from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), along with representatives of investment promotion agencies from Southeast Asia and Latin America, visited Costa Rica as part of the Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit 2025, which took place from September 1 to 5.
ESCAP, headquartered in Bangkok and with 53 member states, is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations and a benchmark in sustainable development policies and international cooperation.
The mission’s objective was to gain firsthand knowledge of the Costa Rican model for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), led by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), specifically the country’s system of incentives and productive linkages, as well as to explore opportunities for interregional cooperation in the areas of sustainability and inclusive economic development.
During their visit, the delegation held strategic sessions with PROCOMER leaders, where they discussed topics such as the strategy for attracting foreign direct investment, the benefits of the free trade zone regime, trade intelligence as a tool for attracting FDI, gender initiatives led by PROCOMER, and the national semiconductor roadmap. These sessions allowed the delegates to gain a comprehensive understanding of the conditions that have made Costa Rica a reliable and competitive destination for the installation of high-value-added projects.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER, commented: “Costa Rica has managed to consolidate an investment ecosystem that combines specialized talent, a robust incentive system for attracting companies, and a strategic vision for innovation. The fact that ESCAP and investment promotion agencies are studying this model is a recognition of our ability to compete globally and a platform to continue promoting the creation of quality jobs and sustainable growth for all regions.”
The agenda also included visits to companies and business parks, where participants learned about the productive linkage model and the sustainability efforts that characterize these operations.
“It has been very enriching for us to learn firsthand about the investment attraction strategy implemented by Costa Rica. In recent days, we have confirmed two fundamental aspects: first, the role of human talent, which has been highlighted by both PROCOMER and companies already established in the country; and second, the proactive promotional work carried out by PROCOMER to attract and retain investment projects. These elements are key to understanding why Costa Rica has positioned itself as an international benchmark in sustainability and innovation,” commented Heather Taylor-Strauss, Economic Affairs Specialist, Trade, Innovation, and Investment Division at ESCAP.
According to the Central Bank of Costa Rica, FDI reached US$5.008 billion in 2024, representing a 32% growth compared to 2023. Of this amount, 74% corresponded to the free trade zone regime (US$3.72 billion), with a significant share of manufacturing (71% of total investment). In the first quarter of 2025, investment maintained significant levels and achieved a historic record in the reinvestment of profits, evidence of the strength and confidence of multinationals in the country.
One of the central focuses of the mission was the international workshop on Green Foreign Direct Investment, led by ESCAP, where experiences were shared, trends in sustainable investment were analyzed, and regional cooperation models were explored to boost the attraction of projects linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Wilmer Useche
