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Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit 2025: Paving the Way for Global Commerce

This week, Costa Rica proudly hosts the Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit 2025, a premier event that gathers prominent figures from the global trade and investment sectors in one dynamic venue. Organized by the Costa Rican Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), this summit represents a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing efforts to attract investment and enhance exports.

Over five days, Costa Rican businesses will connect with 400 international buyers and investors hailing from 45 different countries. The event features a comprehensive agenda with over 3,700 scheduled business meetings, investment cycles, site visits, and ample networking opportunities.

Laura López, the Director General of PROCOMER, stated, “This event showcases that Costa Rica is ready to compete and play a leading role. We have created a platform to attract investment projects that foster connections, create jobs, and promote sustainability while enhancing our export offerings to the most demanding markets.”

A New Phase in Trade Diplomacy

The summit marks the evolution of the historically significant Buyers Trade Mission (BTM), which for over 25 years has linked thousands of Costa Rican exporters with international buyers. Now, in its new and more ambitious format, the Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit integrates export promotion and foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction into a single, cohesive platform.

The opening ceremony was attended by key figures, including Manuel Tovar, the Minister of Foreign Trade, and Laura López, who welcomed international delegations and business representatives. Participants came from vital markets such as Germany, the UK, Japan, India, the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, France, and Central America.

The academic program features insightful lectures from global leaders such as:

• - Didi Caldwell from Global Location Strategies discussing the economic forces impacting the future of FDI.
• - Katie McGinty of Johnson Controls who will analyze the profitability of growth through sustainable building practices.
• - Henry Loewendahl of Wavteq sharing insights on the future of work.
• - María Carolina Pinheiro from Wyndham Hotels focusing on investment opportunities in the tourism sector.

A Promising Economic Future

As of July 2025, Costa Rican merchandise exports peaked at $13.148 billion, reflecting a 17% increase from the same period the previous year. The primary driver of this growth remains the medical and precision equipment sector, constituting 48% of total exports. This is succeeded by the agricultural sector at 17% and the food sector at 12%.

Costa Rica hosts over 1,000 multinational companies involved in strategic areas including medical devices, business services, advanced manufacturing, and digital technologies. The nation is firmly establishing itself as a reliable source of high-quality food products, being the world’s top exporter of pineapples, third in banana exports, and the leading exporter of cassava to the US and EU.

In terms of foreign direct investments, Costa Rica is notable for a significant reinvestment of profits and a steady growth of projects beyond the metropolitan regions. In 2024, total FDI reached $5.008 billion, reflecting a 32% increase from 2023, with key capital sources from the US, Colombia, Switzerland, Mexico, and France.

Laura López concluded, “The Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit is a commitment to building long-term relationships and opening new opportunities for our regions. This platform aims to not only endure but also evolve alongside global market needs.”