Invest with Purpose

We are
CINDE

Count on the world renowed

expert in FDI to guide you in
your investment journey

Experts in Foreign
Direct Investment
Home of the FDI of the future

For more than 40 years, CINDE (the former Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency) has advised and guided over 400 high-tech companies in their establishment and operation in Costa Rica.

As a private, non-profit, and non-political organization, expert in Foreign Direct Investment attraction, retention, and expansion, we are the right partner to reach sustainable productivity and drive investment with a purpose.

Since its creation in 1982, CINDE has been attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities in strategic sectors such as Smart Manufacturing, Knowledge-Intensive Services, and Health & Wellbeing to generate employment and greater opportunities for its most valuable asset: its people. Our main goal is to contribute to the social and economic development of Costa Rica.

CINDE has ranked as the world's top institution in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), by the International Trade Center for 5 consecutive years

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Woman wearing a virtual reality headset

A bold Vision

Vision:

To contribute to the country’s economic and sustainable development, its economic impact and its social progress by attracting foreign direct investment and nurturing the right investment climate to do so.

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With a strong Mission

Mission:

To position Costa Rica as a sustainable country, highly connected with the global economy, reliable to investors; fostered by its growth in modern, high-tech, and knowledge intensive industries which drive employment on a national scale and promote productive linkages.

• Leading the world of FDI
• Private, non profit, non political

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OUR SERVICES

A successful journey begins with the right guide

We are devoted to your satisfaction. In a nutshell, we help companies settle in our country providing specialized advisory and guidance in 3 focus areas.

Investment lifecycle icon
Investment Advisory

Investment Advisory

From the beginning of the site selection phase, through the installation and during the operational phase in Costa Rica, the companies will have specialized investment advisory. Including detailed presentations on investment opportunities and business climate, reliable and detailed up-to-date information, and coordination of on-site or virtual meetings with other foreign companies, potential suppliers, governmental institutions, academia, among others.

Investment Entry

Investment Entry

Full-service support during the set-up process including an installation process roadmap and timetable: investor “hand-holding” through the entire permit process and assistance expediting permits, including immigration, FTZ Regime,etc.

In addition, CINDE offers its full list of service providers comprising over 80 companies to support the entry to the country, as well as assistance in the real estate selection process. Other support services include the communications strategy for the company’s official announcement.

Investment Retention / Expansion

Investment Retention / Expansion

Advisory on reinvestment opportunities to expand, diversify, and sophisticate the company's’s local operations, including A-to-Z follow-up, tactical problem-solving with licenses, permits and regulatory procedures, and linkages with service providers.

CINDE also facilitates the collaboration between established companies, regulatory bodies, and/or academia to move forward a work agenda of common interests.

In addition, CINDE provides communication strategy support for expansion, reinvestments, or other impactful programs that the company does in the country.

Explore all our services VISIT OUR NEW SERVICES SECTION
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Led by experience. Driven by talent.

Fernando Cruz

Chairman of the Board

Fernando
Cruz

Read bio

Our Chairman

Fernando Cruz

Fernando Cruz holds a master's degree in business administration with a focus on Marketing and International Business from George Mason University. He also obtained a master's degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Costa Rica, where he completed a degree in Industrial Engineering. Additionally, he participated in the Senior Management Program at IPADE and was awarded the Fulbright scholarship to pursue his studies abroad.

His career has led him to lead companies specializing in the logistics field with international reach, with a strong emphasis on finance administration and management, overseeing regional teams.

Headshot of Marianela Urgellés

Our Managing Director

Marianela
Urgellés

Read bio

Our Managing Director

Marianela Urgellés

Marianela Urgellés is the Managing Director of the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE). She joined the organization in April 2023, after a 25-year career in the multinational sector, where she stood out for her leadership in corporate services, finance, manufacturing, engineering, and strategic programs in global teams in the high-tech sector. One of the many accolades of her professional career includes transformational processes at Intel, where she led the shared services expansion program and the finance digital modernization program. Additionally, she led the transition from manufacturing processes to research and development services in this same company. Ms. Urgellés is an Industrial Engineer from the University of Costa Rica and has an MBA in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, she has studies in Artificial Intelligence.

Our board of Directors

Rosalía Morales headshot
Vice President
Rosalía Morales
Shannon Music headshot
Secretary
Shannon Music
Javier Sancho headshot
Treasurer
Javier Sancho
Dyalá Jimenez Figueres headshot
Controller
Dyalá Jimenez

Amadeo Quirós headshot
Director
Amadeo Quirós
Ileana Gamboa
Director
Ileana Gamboa
Eduardo Artavia
Director
Eduardo Artavia
Luis Gamboa headshot
Honorary President
Luis Gamboa
Eric Scharf
Honorary President
Eric Scharf

Our values
define us

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Excellence
Excellence

We are devoted to our work for Costa Rica, driven by the highest quality standards and the pursuit of continuous improvement and success.

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Passion
Passion

We work with enthusiasm and pride, maintaining a positive and persistent attitude and seeking to inspire and involve others.

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COLLABORATION
COLLABORATION

Our purpose unites us as a team, which we build through constant communication, fostering different perspectives, and building relationships that enhance our impact.

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Innovation
Innovation

We work in a bold, agile and creative way, constantly striving to learn and transform ourselves to create opportunities.

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IMPACT
IMPACT

We carry out profoundly transformative work, which contributes to the development and wellbeing of our country and our clients, partners and collaborators.

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INTEGRITY
INTEGRITY

We build our relationships with mutual respect, ethics and trust, maintaining the highest level of professionalism and leading by example.





Carbon Neutral logo

Committed to
sustainability to drive business success

CINDE is a Carbon Neutral Certified Organization. Since 2015, CINDE has sought to contribute to the global SDGs and the National Decarbonization plan. It has worked hard to reduce its emissions, which primarily result from international promotional tours.

According to its greenhouse gas emissions inventory report, CINDE produced 85 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), which were reduced through the Inversiones Eólicas Orosí Dos S.A. project.

Within the framework of the PreCOP 25, carried out in San José, Costa Rica, in 2019, CINDE was recognized for its participation in the Carbon Neutrality 2.0 Program, since it fulfilled its commitment to reduce its carbon emissions in 2018 and 2019.


Learn more here