13 Foreign Companies To Begin Operations

Thirteen foreign companies, most of which specialize in technology and services, have decided to begin operating in Costa Rica by the end of the year, creating 2,500 new jobs, according to a statement from the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE).

Among the service companies are Formalized, TechData, Global Insurance Technology, Teletech, Jaco Oil Company, Design Space and the DHLServiceCenter.

Future Power Industries, Deshler and Alta Nova also plan to set up shop here, the statement said.

Global Insurance Technology (GIT) plans to invest $250,000 to open the first software development center in Costa Rica, while Deshler plans to invest $5 million to build the first auto part plant in the country, scheduled to begin operating in the last few months of this year.

Jobs these companies will require include systems engineers, electricians, computation experts, technical support workers, finance and administration specialists and customer service workers.

CINDE general director Gabriela Llobet said Costa Rica “continues to position itself as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment thanks to its strategic positioning, human capital, political stability and economy.”

She said her agency hopes to see at least as many new companies in Costa Rica this year as last year.

Llobet said that to reach this goal “in addition to reinforcing the promotion of the electronic, service and medical products, we are exploring new sub-sectors such as orthopedic devices and automobile components.”

Despite these positive results, “the country can’t forget the challenges it faces to continue to be competitive,” such as passage of the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA), training in human resources, improvement in infrastructure and the reform of freetrade zones, she said.