For almost 40 years, the Costa Rican lnvestment Promotion Agency, CINDE, a private, non-political, and non-profit organization, has advised and guided over 300 high-tech companies to establish in the country. Becoming the right partner to reach sustainable productivity and drive investment with a purpose.
Since its creation in 1982, CINDE has promoted FDI 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; with the goal of contributing to the social and economic development of Costa Rica.
CINDE was ranked in 2019 as the world’s top institution in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), by the International Trade Center.
Driven by our firm conviction that our work can directly contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While our work contributes positively to most of the SDGs, we are continuously and effectively measuring our impact in:
Explore our latest Impact Report
We promote inclusive, high-quality education that fosters employability for the jobs of the future among Costa Rica’s workforce.
people trained, retooled or reskilled for the jobs of the future in 2019
We stimulate sustainable economic growth through FDI attraction that creates high-quality formal jobs.
new jobs created in 2019 (all-time record)
We boost gender equality in employment, which helps to consolidate this universal right.
of the new 10,141 net jobs created in 2019 were held by women
We foster knowledge and innovation and bolster Costa Rica’s presence in the knowledge economy through FDI to achieve greater prosperity.
total investment projects attracted in 2019
We are devoted to your satisfaction. In a nutshell, we help companies settle in our country providing specialized advisory and guidance in 4 focus areas. All of our services are free of charge.
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.
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.
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.
CINDE provides a detailed listing of local suppliers, service providers, and contract manufacturers. We also provide assistance in contacting and developing local suppliers through PROCOMER’s Linkages Department, and work in close coordination and planning with established companies to help attract their key suppliers to Costa Rica.
Together we work as a pillar to drive the country’s economic and social development
CINDE is a Certified Carbon Neutral investment promotion agency. Since 2015, CINDE has sought to contribute to the global SDGs and the National Decarbonization plan. It has attempted 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.