Costa Rica stands out for its economical and political stability, sound democracy, and transparency on public institution processes. A quality educated system and qualified human resources availability. The facilitation for foreign investors and the access into markets through regional trade are some of the advances factors that Costa Rica has achieved by having a privileged lace with one of the friendliest business climates and as one of the main destinations for freeing direct investment (FDI) in Latin America. Gabriela Llobet, general director of the Initiative Coalition for Development (CINDE) says that “Costa Rica has become the fourth nation in Latin America that entices the most FDI per inhabitant only overcome by Panama, Chile and Uruguay and has positioned above large economies like Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela”.
Moreover, high tech-sectors such as modern manufacturing, services, and medial devices where Costa Rica hosts more than 150 multi-national companies among several worldwide leading companies.

How has been Costa Rica’s investment behavior in the last 10 years?
Over the last decade foreign direct investment inflows has grown from US$406 millions per year in 2007. This has represented an average speed actual annual growth of Cost Rica’s GDP in the same period of time.
For instance according to Costa Rica’s Central Bank, in 2007 it reached US$1,889 million FDI which accounted a growth of 29% comparing 2006 and 71% in relation to 2005. For this year the government’s target is to overcome US$2000 million on FDI inflows a new top record in Costa Rica’s history.
Has United State investment been affected in 2008 since this is the main investment provider?
Regardless of the initial forecasts on the economical crisis panorama in the main FDI origin country in Costa Rica which is United States, the growth of established companies has been significant as well as the arrival of new corporations and investors inflows which constantly analyze if Costa Rica meets the necessary requirement for future business operations which has been a dynamic phenomenon. This allows us to think that the year will close just as the Central Bank foreseen with a FDI record figure in the history of the country.

Which are the most benefited sectors?  Tourism?  Duty free zones? Could technology overcome tourism investment?
During the first semester CINDE conducted a comparative analysis between the services sector of export growth within the duty free zone against the export historical growth of tourist sector in Costa Rica.
Tourism has an annually average growth of 11.6% whereas duty free zones services could eventually overcome Costa Rica’s tourist revenues if that is true for 2015 the duty free zone services would account 40% of export services. If we analyze corporation’s exports data within duty free zones not only services, we found that the information remains encouraging. Free zone exports had a14% average growth in the last six years whereas traditional exports (banana, coffee, and pineapple) had a growth of 10%. That is how consumer goods exports from duty free zones were accounted in 2007; 54% of consumer goods total exports. This shows again the importance and how high-tech corporations have impacted our country.
It is possible to say that Costa Rica is an attractive country for high-tech investments?
Costa Rica has shown to be successful in high-tech sectors like service sectors (software, finance, auditing, administrative, and service centers, design, architecture sector and medical devices sector as well. Based on our country’s consolidation on these sectors where more than 150 leading companies operate according to the Costa Rica human resources potential. CINDE has identified a series of new specific sub sectors and new geographical markets in which Costa Rica could find important opportunities. During 2008 an intensive approach has been made with Germany and Spain, for example we have increased promotion efforts on sub sectors of automobile electronics, aerospace’s, and interactive marketing and audiovisual post production.

Can we mention some of the main benefits that up to now these companies have provided to the country?
• Exports increase and diversification
• Diversification of export markets
• Diversification of production activity
• Employment generation
• Higher average salaries
• Technology and Knowledge transfers
• Acquisition of consumer goods and services to local companies (chains and development of  local providers) 
• At least 2/3 of deficit of financed current account

Which are the main challenge for this country in order to take advantage of this investment and how can Costa Rica promote itself as an attractive business destination?
The country has been successful on enticing corporation that create an economy value. However, the work and effort are permanent. We should increase the size of the work force and make them speak fluent English, improve infrastructure especially in those zones where companies establish, we have to define incentives for enticing FDI regarding investigation and development and define or implement the duty free zone modification law.

Has the English quality improved?
A while ago the government launched a Costa Rica multi-bilingual program that intends to have 100% bilingual high school graduate student. On the other hand the Migration Department facilitated migration proceedings for expatriate of multinational companies that operate in the country. And the duty free zone law reform hasn’t been yet concluded that is to say, the work is permanent and we should pursue in doing all necessary FDI improvements.