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Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit 2025: A Platform for Global Business

This week marks a significant milestone for Costa Rica as it hosts the Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit 2025. This premier event gathers key players from around the world, spotlighting the nation as a hub for international trade and investment. With over 1,000 companies from Costa Rica and abroad, sharing insights and establishing connections, the summit is poised to reshape the business landscape in the region.

Organized by the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), the summit is more than just a convention; it signifies a strategic integration of exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) in a cohesive framework. For the first time, this event merges these two essential components of economic growth, creating a holistic platform for discussion and business dealings.

A Hub for Global Opportunities

Taking place over five days, attendees include 400 international buyers and investors from 45 countries, highlighting the event’s global reach. The agenda features more than 3,700 business meetings, networking activities, and investment rounds that aim to foster new partnerships and strengthen existing ties. This collaboration is designed to foster projects that will drive economic growth and sustainability.

Laura López, the General Manager of PROCOMER, stated, “This event is proof that Costa Rica is ready to compete and lead. We have designed a space to attract investment projects that generate linkages, employment, and sustainability, while also promoting our export offer to the most demanding markets.” Her vision emphasizes Costa Rica's ambition to become a pivotal player on the global stage.

Evolution of Trade Missions

The Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit builds upon the legacy of the Buyers Trade Mission (BTM), which for over 25 years has linked Costa Rican exporters with global buyers. The new format enhances the significance of the event, offering a more comprehensive approach to promoting both exports and attracting investment, effectively modernizing Costa Rica's trade initiatives.

Notable highlights from the opening ceremony included the presence of Manuel Tovar, the Minister of Foreign Trade, who emphasized the importance of this summit in positioning Costa Rica as a reliable business partner on the global stage. In addition, the gathering featured global leaders discussing topics crucial to the current economic climate. Speakers included Didi Caldwell, addressing economic factors influencing FDI, Katie McGinty from Johnson Controls discussing sustainable growth through smart buildings, and other experts sharing their insights on future work dynamics and tourism investment segments.

Economic Growth and Export Success

The boost in Costa Rica's economic standing is underscored by recent statistics indicating that, as of July 2025, the country’s goods exports total reached $13.148 billion, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. Key sectors driving this growth include the precision and medical equipment industry, which constitutes 48% of the exports, followed by agricultural products at 17%, and food at 12%. With over 1,000 multinational companies operating in sectors such as medical devices and digital technologies, Costa Rica is not only growing but also diversifying its economic portfolio.

Costa Rica’s robust performance as the world's largest exporter of pineapples, and a leading supplier of bananas and cassava, reveals its capability as a high-quality food provider. Furthermore, the country demonstrates efficacy in foreign direct investment flows, marking $5.008 billion in total FDI in 2024, a remarkable growth of 32% from 2023. The United States, Colombia, and Switzerland are among the top contributors to this investment.

Looking to the Future

The Costa Rica Trade and Investment Summit 2025 stands as a commitment to establish long-term relationships and open new avenues of opportunity in the region. As Laura López concluded, “This platform was created to stay and to evolve alongside the needs of the global environment.” The summit underscores Costa Rica’s ongoing dedication to fostering a sustainable, competitive, and vibrant economy that resonates on an international scale.