Costa Rica This Thursday it launched a strategy with the aim of becoming a regional center for the semiconductor industry, with a focus on talent, incentives, attracting investment and improving regulation.
“Costa Rica has the necessary conditions to consolidate itself as a reliable and safe regional destination for this type of investment, helping to mitigate vulnerabilities in the global supply chain”said the Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar.
The official presented the strategy to representatives of international semiconductor associations, international financial entities, multinational companies, academia and a delegation from the USA headed by the Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, reported the Ministry of Foreign Trade.
The plan has an axis focused on talent, through which Costa Rica intends to promote the training and development of specialized professionals for this industry.
In addition, the Central American country will seek to improve existing incentives and design new ones to promote research and development, while promoting itself internationally to position itself as an attractive destination for semiconductor investment.
Regarding regulation, Costa Rica will work on issues of efficiency, transparency and competitiveness to facilitate the arrival of investments in this industry.
«Costa Rica’s value proposition is in line with the needs presented by the semiconductor industry globally. Today we have companies that are important players in the industry, with more than 25 years consolidating their presence in the country.”said the general manager of the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica, Laura Lopez.
He added that Costa Rica has “a robust ecosystem that includes more than 600 national suppliers and specialized human talent” that constitute differentiating elements for the country to become a regional center for this industry.
In July 2023, Costa Rica was the first nation designated as a strategic ally of the United States under the CHIPS and Science Act.
The most representative company in this sector in Costa Rica is Intelwhich has been operating in the country for 27 years.
Intel currently has a Research and Development Center in this Central American country dedicated to the design, prototype, testing and validation of integrated circuit solutions and platforms; a Processor Assembly and Testing plant, and a Global Services Center, where it designs, executes, transforms and innovates global business processes.
Intel employs 3,300 people directly in Costa Rica and is currently carrying out an expansion process that is part of the $1.2 billion budget that the company has allocated for its operation in this Central American country over the next two years. EFE (I)
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