The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – Central America is the largest holder of investment for Costa Rican companies with a share of 64.2%, which exceeds the 28.6% that went to the United States, according to a study that was recently released.
“Analysis of Costa Rican Investment Abroad”, presented today at a press conference by the Ministry of Foreign Trade, indicates that Costa Rican foreign investment reached $1.519 billion in total from 21 countries in 2013.
Of this total, 64.2% went to Central America and the United States had 28.6%, while the rest to other markets such as Ecuador (2.7%), Peru (1.8%), Mexico (0.8%), Colombia (0.5%), and Chile (0.5%), among others.
In Central America, Panama is the main destination for Costa Rican investment with 16.9% of the total, followed by Nicaragua (13.9%), Guatemala (12.2%), El Salvador (10.8%) and Honduras (10.4%).
The main investment sector of Costa Rica is construction and infrastructure with 33% of the total investment, followed by the food sector with 32% and trading at 30%, while the remaining 5% is in other areas.
“Trade integration of Costa Rica in global markets expands their operations to take advantage of new opportunities,” said Costa Rican Foreign Trade Minister, Anabel González.
She added that the other benefits to the country are risk diversification, growth of business, learning and knowledge transfer, and increasing the country’s position in international markets when companies invest externally.
The period in which Costa Rican companies established the most investment projects in other countries was 2004-2008 with a total of 86, while between 2009 and 2013 they developed 78.
Other information revealed in the study is that Costa Rican companies generate about 15,000 direct jobs in the countries where they have operations.
The study was developed through interviews with the representatives of 105 companies whose headquarters are located in Costa Rica who have invested in other countries. (ACAN-EFE)
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
