Why Costa Rica is Becoming a Top Destination for International Businesses

4 Success Stories: How Costa Rica Helped Global Brands Grow

Designing Next-Generation Medical Devices: Johnson & Johnson MedTech

In September 2023, Johnson & Johnson MedTech announced the opening of a new medical device manufacturing facility in Costa Rica, representing a significant investment and creating 3,000 jobs, the company said.

The group’s new facilities in Grecia, Alajuela, occupy an area of ​​19,000 square meters and represent the largest investment by Johnson & Johnson MedTech outside the United States. The investment brings significant economic benefits to the region and underscores Costa Rica’s strategic importance in the global medical device industry.

According to Gustavo Galá, International Vice President, Johnson & Johnson MedTech Latin America, “Costa Rica is a very strategic location where we have had a presence for 40 years, and our company has greatly benefited from the local talent in the country, who have specialized experience in our industry. We are confident that the Alajuela manufacturing facility will significantly expand our capabilities and sustain our long-term growth trajectory,” Galá states. “Almost 300 million patients worldwide are treated with Johnson & Johnson MedTech products each year, and building this new facility in Costa Rica (has) increased our ability to deliver more innovative products that change the lives of our patients and keep our company on a path of continuous growth.” (Press release, 2024)

PROCOMER’s proactive efforts to diversify foreign investment growth aim to attract new investment to both urban and rural communities.

Scaling up agricultural biotechnology: Bayer

Bayer’s Cañas facility serves as a global center for biotech cotton innovation, conducting commercial trials to evaluate new cotton varieties and exporting more than 50,000 candidates for genetic improvement processes annually.

“Costa Rica is a country that, due to its strategic geographical location, political and economic stability, skilled workforce and commitment to environmental protection, is particularly attractive for investments in the expansion of research and development facilities and the opening of new production plants,” says Miriam Limbach, Manager of Bayer Costa Rica. “We are thus confirming our commitment to further growth in Costa Rica,” Limbach added. (Press release, 2024)

The company’s farms in La Palma de Abangares and Chomes de Puntarenas export more than 40 tons of seeds annually. Costa Rica’s energy infrastructure and high-quality production facilities have helped Bayer scale its operations and research efforts in agricultural biotechnology.

Building a Critical Technology Core: Intel

Intel’s significant expansion in Costa Rica demonstrates the country’s appeal as a center for high-tech industry. Initially attracted by the country’s economic stability and supportive government policies, Intel established operations in Costa Rica, which have expanded significantly over the years, especially since most of Intel’s microprocessors are manufactured in the country.

“Intel Costa Rica currently employs 3,300 direct employees and more than 5,000 contractors. In addition, we have 26,000 square meters of manufacturing space and 17,000 square meters of lab space for multiple software, hardware and platform engineering operations,” says Ileana Rojas, Global Vice President of Design Engineering and General Manager of Intel Costa Rica (press release, 2024). “Our goal is to maintain the highest corporate standards in our operations and continue to play a key role in the growing global demand for semiconductors,” Rojas states. “Working with governments to increase competitiveness and streamline processes across all of our locations is also key.”

“Intel is built on the passion and commitment of Costa Rican talent that has been essential throughout our history in the country,” Rojas says. “That’s why we will continue to invest in our people and promote more STEM careers to increase Costa Rica’s critical role in Intel’s manufacturing, innovation and product leadership strategy,” Rojas says. “Our goal is to achieve a more sustainable, resilient and secure semiconductor supply chain.”

By 2023, Intel’s business included advanced semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and shared services. Rojas says the company’s investments in new facilities and job creation have strengthened Costa Rica’s role in the global semiconductor supply chain. In addition, the country’s highly skilled workforce and strategic location have been key to supporting Intel’s growth, Rojas says.