With over two decades of experience in the sector, Costa Rica has emerged as the ideal location for establishing semiconductor operations. The country hosts globally renowned companies like Intel, Teradyne, Qorvo, NI, HPE, and R&D Altanova (a division of ADVANTEST Corporation), engaged in a wide spectrum of highly complex activities —from assembly and testing to integrated circuit design, research, and development.
Thanks to this robust record and its commitment to innovation, Costa Rica stands out as a reference point in Latin America’s semiconductor industry. It provides a favorable environment for multinational companies to establish and thrive.
Gina Raimondo
Secretary of Commerce
“I believe that Costa Rica is the best place for large investments. The United States is eager to strengthen our semiconductor alliance because it is beneficial for both nations.
There couldn’t be a better time for Costa Rica to have such a comprehensive semiconductor strategy, Costa Rica’s vision aligns perfectly with our unprecedented investments in the industry, poised to double in the next 5 to 10 years.”
On March 21st , 2024, during the launch of Costa Rica’s National Semiconductor Roadmap
Is This the Silicon Valley of Latin America?
“A stable democracy that is vying to become the Silicon Valley of Latin America — with active support from the United States.”
Competitive Advantages for Semiconductor Companies in Costa Rica:
Beyond the experience, Costa Rica offers a set of unmatched conditions for semiconductor companies:
Human Talent
We boast highly specialized bilingual professionals trained at the country’s leading universities, with extensive experience in the industry.
Strategic Location
Located in the heart of the Americas, the country enjoys access to the continent’s primary markets, making it an ideal hub for distribution and logistics.
Robust Supplier Network
Costa Rica has established a robust network of local and international suppliers, facilitating access to essential production inputs.
Renewable Energy
Over 95% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources, a significant benefit for environmentally conscious companies.
Incentives and Benefits
The Costa Rican government provides a wide range of tax incentives and benefits for companies choosing to establish themselves in the country, including tax exemptions on income and machinery import duties.
Epicenter of Innovation in the Global Semiconductor Industry
Costa Rica stands out as a strategic partner in the semiconductor industry, offering a broad spectrum of strengths across the value chain.
Assembly
- Highly qualifiedworkforce.
- Modern infrastructure adaptable to the industry needs.
- Robust network of local and international suppliers.
- Competitive costs.
Testing
- Experience in testing diverse types of chips.
- State-of-the-art technology laboratories.
Packaging
- World-class clean rooms.
- High-quality processes with strict quality controls.
Design
- Highly qualified human talent in chip design.
- Experience in designing different types of integrated circuits.
- Access to cutting-edge design tools.
Distribution
- Strategic location in the heart of the Americas, providing access to major markets.
- Robust and efficient logistics platform.
- Well-established global distribution network.
Research & Development
- Growing semiconductor research and development ecosystem.
- Collaborative efforts among universities, companies, and government institutions.
- Incentives for R&D investment.
Costa Rica: Global Reference in Semiconductor Supply Chain Resiliency and Security
Costa Rica takes the lead as the first Latin America country to implement concrete actions to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem.
Our approach focuses on four pillars: Talent, Incentives 2.0, Investment Attraction, and Regulatory Improvement.
Pillar 1
Talent
Objective: Expand the pool of specialized talent in semiconductors.
Pillar 2
Incentives 2.0
Objective: Strengthen and modernize incentives for FDI.
Pillar 3
Investment Attraction
Objective: Position Costa Rica as an appealing destination for semiconductor companies.
Pillar 4
Regulatory Improvement
Objective: Optimize regulatory processes for the semiconductor industry.
Roadmap to Strengthen the Semiconductor Ecosystem in Costa Rica
This pioneering initiative in Latin America aims to position Costa Rica as a regional leader in the development of this critical industry. This strategic plan, resulting from consultations with over twenty governmental entities, outlines concrete and phased actions for short, medium, and long term. By focusing on strategies that include talent development, attractive incentives, foreign investment promotion, and regulatory improvements, Costa Rica strives to become a strategic destination for semiconductor investments.
Success Cases
Discover some of the leading companies that work with our talent:
Pre-Investment Phase
- Informed Decision Assistance: reports, analyses, financial models, and customized presentations.
- Decision-Making Support: Location selection, legal requirements, recruitment, and contact with key stakeholders.
Aftercare Service
- Inconvenience Mitigation: Follow-up on cases with public institutions.
Human Talent Development:
- Training, job fairs, and financing for professional development.
Free Trade Zone Regime
- Tax incentives and streamlined processes.
Offices in Costa Rica and worldwide
- Promoting Costa Rica as an attractive destination for the industry.
