Service Firms in Free Zones Continue to Expand

The Costa Rican Investment Board (CINDE) expects the 61 multinational service firms operating in the country’s free zones to generate $773 million in exports this year, an increase of 28 percent over last year, reported the daily La Nación.

The sector has been growing by about 30 percent a year since 2002. These companies provide services for their parent companies regional or global operations (captive operations) or for other firms (outsourcing), which is the case of most call centers operating in the country.

Service firms located in the country export software, conduct financial analysis for their parent companies, provide technical support for their parent companies’ customers, and provide graphic, architectural and engineering design services.