Costa Rica's Showcasing of Semiconductor Industry Strength
Costa Rica marked its presence at SEMICON West 2025, the premier event for the semiconductor sector, held in Phoenix, Arizona. This global trade show brought together a multitude of industry leaders, researchers, and decision-makers, with over 1,000 companies represented. The focal points of this year's event included innovation, sustainability, talent development, supply chain resilience, and emerging trade and investment opportunities.
Strengthening Strategic Alliances
Representatives from the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX) and the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (PROCOMER) participated with a clear objective: to foster strategic partnerships within the semiconductor industry. Their efforts were designed to highlight Costa Rica's favorable conditions for investment, showcasing the country as a vital stakeholder in the semiconductor global value chain.
Mónica Umaña, who heads Foreign Direct Investment at PROCOMER, emphasized Costa Rica's growing reputation as a competitive partner within the semiconductor ecosystem. She mentioned the country’s robust history in advanced manufacturing and a conducive business environment that offers legal certainty. Moreover, the nation's continuing development of a skilled workforce underscores its commitment to remaining competitive.
“For these reasons, it’s essential for us to continue positioning Costa Rica in high-level industry events like SEMICON West, which allows us to demonstrate the progress being made in the semiconductor sector,” Umaña stated.
Key Highlights of the Event
One of the most significant components of the SEMICON West 2025 was the CEO Summit, where key sessions revolved around the theme, “The Road to the Trillion Shaping a Sustainable Future in Talent, Technology, and Trade.” Notably, Costa Rica stood out as the only country, besides the United States, to present an official segment at this summit. Minister of Foreign Trade Manuel Tovar represented the nation, contributing to discussions alongside key executives from global tech giants such as NVIDIA, EMD Electronics, IBM, and TSMC, among others.
The presence of these global companies in Costa Rica, including Intel, Advantest, Teradyne, and Applied Materials, showcases the nation’s integration into international value chains. This reflects a growing emphasis within the country on technological advancement, innovation, and sustainable business practices, which are crucial for strengthening its position in the semiconductor market.
Promoting Sustainability and Human Talent
As an active member of SEMI, the leading global organization for the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries, PROCOMER took this opportunity to promote Costa Rica's unique value proposition. The agency highlighted two core differentiators: a commitment to sustainability and the continuous development of human talent. These aspects are pivotal in fortifying Costa Rica’s long-term relationships with global semiconductor leaders.
Costa Rica’s representation at SEMICON West 2025 is more than just a display of its strengths; it positions the nation as a serious player in the global semiconductor landscape. The connections made during this event may very well pave the way for future investments, innovations, and collaborations, reinforcing the country’s standing as a vital partner in an increasingly technological world.