View source for Organization:Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter

{{Short description|Costa Rican investment promotion agency}}
{{Infobox government agency
| type            = Investment promotion agency
| logo            = Logo PROCOMER.png
| formed          = {{Start date|1996|10|30|df=yes}}
| preceding1      = Center for Export and Investment Promotion
| jurisdiction    = Costa Rica
| headquarters    = 10203 Tempo Plaza Lobby B, Escazú
| employees       = 261
| budget          = ₡26 166 371 000 (2023)
| minister1_name  = Manuel Tovar Rivera
| minister1_pfo   = Ministry of Foreign Trade
| chief1_name     = Laura López Salazar
| chief1_position = general manager
| chief2_name     = Mario Saénz
| chief2_position = Export Development Manager
| chief3_name     = Marvin Rodríguez
| chief3_position = Trade and Investment Facilitation Manager
| chief4_name     = Yair Rodríguez
| chief4_position = Innovation and Digital Transformation Manager
| chief5_name     = Eddie Villalobos
| chief5_position = Operations Manager
| chief6_name     = Mónica Umaña
| chief6_position = Investment Manager
| parent_department = Ministry of Foreign Trade
| website         = https://www.procomer.com/?lang=en
}}

The '''Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter''' (PROCOMER) is a Costa Rican investment promotion agency responsible for [[Finance:Trade promotion (international trade)|export promotion]] programs, attracting [[Finance:Foreign direct investment|foreign direct investment]], and providing technical and financial support for the administration of Costa Rica's special export regimes.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Legislative Assembly |date=1996-10-30 |title=Ley N° 7638 – Crea Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Promotora de Comercio Exterior |trans-title=Law N° 7638 – Creates Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Trade Promoter |url=http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?nValor1=1&nValor2=25531 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016162915/http://www.pgrweb.go.cr/scij/Busqueda/Normativa/Normas/nrm_texto_completo.aspx?nValor1=1&nValor2=25531 |archive-date=2023-10-16 |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 Investment Climate Statements: Costa Rica |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-investment-climate-statements/costa-rica/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815222731/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-investment-climate-statements/costa-rica/ |archive-date=2022-08-15 |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=United States Department of State}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cabrera |first=Oscar Ovidio |date=2022-02-23 |title=Productive transformation and sectoral policies during the COVID-19 crisis in El Salvador and Costa Rica |url=http://www.ilo.org/emppolicy/pubs/WCMS_838040/lang--en/index.htm |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=www.ilo.org |language=en}}</ref>

Established in 1996,{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=2-18}} was created to modernize export and investment promotion activities, replacing the Center for Export and Investment Promotion (CENPRO), which had been in operation since 1968. PROCOMER's mandate, as defined in its [[Philosophy:Organic law|organic law]], includes coordinating export and investment programs with guidance from the Executive and managing the country's [[Finance:Free-trade zone|free trade zone]] regime.{{Sfn|Gómez|Zolezzi|2018|p=43-47}}

The institution's funding comes from various sources, including contributions from export and import sectors, as well as [[Finance:Credit|credit]]s, donations, or [[Social:Royalty payment|legacies]].<ref name=":1" /> While it enjoys budgetary flexibility due to its exclusion from annual spending limits,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Angulo |first=Yamileth |date=2023-02-13 |title=Diputados resellan ley para sacar a Procomer de la regla fiscal |trans-title=Deputies override veto of law to remove Procomer from the fiscal rule |url=https://elmundo.cr/costa-rica/diputados-resellan-ley-para-sacar-a-procomer-de-la-regla-fiscal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213225534/https://elmundo.cr/costa-rica/diputados-resellan-ley-para-sacar-a-procomer-de-la-regla-fiscal/ |archive-date=2023-02-13 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=El Mundo CR |language=es-CR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Madrigal |first=Luis |date=2023-02-13 |title=Congreso pasa por encima de otro veto de Chaves: Procomer queda fuera de la regla fiscal |trans-title=Congress overrides another Chaves veto: Procomer is left out of the fiscal rule |url=https://delfino.cr/2023/02/congreso-pasa-por-encima-de-otro-veto-de-chaves-procomer-queda-fuera-de-la-regla-fiscal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213224134/https://delfino.cr/2023/02/congreso-pasa-por-encima-de-otro-veto-de-chaves-procomer-queda-fuera-de-la-regla-fiscal |archive-date=2023-02-13 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=delfino.cr |language=es}}</ref> it remains subject to oversight by the Comptroller General of the Republic, except for budget approval.{{Sfn|Gómez|Zolezzi|2018|p=43-47}}

The [[Organization:International Trade Centre|International Trade Centre]] (ITC), an agency affiliated with the [[Organization:World Trade Organization|World Trade Organization]] (WTO) and the United Nations (UN), has recognized the agency as the world's best investment promotion agency for four consecutive years,{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=2-18}} most recently in April 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ACAN-EFE |date=2018-04-13 |title=Costa Rica celebra primer lugar de su promotora de comercio en ránking mundial |trans-title=Costa Rica celebrates first place for its trade promoter in world ranking |url=https://www.eleconomista.net/economia/Costa-Rica-celebra-primer-lugar-de-su-promotora-de-comercio-en-ranking-mundial-20180413-0073.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020035720/https://www.eleconomista.net/economia/Costa-Rica-celebra-primer-lugar-de-su-promotora-de-comercio-en-ranking-mundial-20180413-0073.html |archive-date=2023-10-20 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=eleconomista.net}}</ref>

== Background ==
In the 1960s, only Ireland, Switzerland, {{wipe|South Korea}}, and Japan had investment promotion agencies. This number quadrupled in [[Finance:Latin America and the Caribbean|Latin America and the Caribbean]] (LAC) and the countries of the [[Organization:OECD|Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development]] (OECD). This growth led to the opening of international offices for these agencies. According to data from the [[Organization:World Bank|World Bank]], 20 new offices of this kind were established from 2014 to 2019. Additionally, according to this organization, the investment promotion agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean have an average budget of US$5&nbsp;million, whereas their OECD counterparts have budgets of US$14&nbsp;million. They also differ in their staffing size, with an average of 48 people in LAC and 135 in OECD countries.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Volpe Martincus |first1=Christian |last2=Sztajerowska |first2=Monika |date=2019-11-26 |title=¿Cómo crear agencias de promoción de inversiones efectivas? |trans-title=How to create effective investment promotion agencies? |url=https://blogs.iadb.org/integracion-comercio/es/agencias-promocion-inversiones-efectivas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418085214/https://blogs.iadb.org/integracion-comercio/es/agencias-promocion-inversiones-efectivas/ |archive-date=2021-04-18 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Más Allá de las Fronteras |publisher=[[Organization:World Bank|World Bank]]}}</ref>

=== Creation ===
Before the 2000s, the Ministry of Foreign Trade in Costa Rica operated without a formal legal framework, which posed a challenge in [[Finance:Multilateral trade negotiations|trade negotiations]], as most countries already had a dedicated ministry, secretariat, or specialized department in place. There were three institutions tasked with managing different export incentive programs and promoting investments: the National Investment Council, the Center for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (CENPRO), and the Export Free Zone Corporation.{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=2-18}}

On December 29, 1995, during José María Figueres Olsen's government, 15 members of the National Liberation Party's parliamentary group presented a bill with the aim of creating the Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX) and the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER). They noted that in the previous years, [[Finance:International trade|foreign trade]] had been the main driver of Costa Rica's economy, but the legislation governing the institutional framework was outdated.{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=2-18}}

The initial bill formally established the Ministry of Foreign Trade and merged the Permanent Delegation of Costa Rica to the [[Organization:World Trade Organization|World Trade Organization]] with the trade representatives stationed in diplomatic delegations. Additionally, it gave rise to PROCOMER as the executing arm of the policies set forth by the ministry, bestowing upon it the status of a non-state public entity operating as a [[Company:Public limited company|public limited company]].{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=2-18}}

The proposal was referred to the Special State Reforms Commission,{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=18}} and it received unanimous approval on April 23, 1996.{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=19-226}} During the first reading, the bill garnered 38 votes in favor and 2 against, with the opposing votes coming from left-wing party deputies Gerardo Trejos Salas (Democratic Force) and Rodrigo Gutiérrez Schwanhauser (New Democratic Party).{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=227-467}} The second reading saw 36 votes in favor and 9 against.{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=501-517}}

The bill was sent to the Presidential House, where it received the signatures of both President José María Figueres Olsen and the Minister of Foreign Trade, José Rossi Umaña, becoming Law 7638 on October 30, 1996.{{Sfn|Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|1996|p=518}}

=== Costa Rican economy ===
During the 1990s, Costa Rica transitioned from an economy based on agriculture and manufacturing to one focused on attracting [[Finance:Foreign direct investment|foreign direct investment]] through the expansion of [[Finance:Special economic zone|special economic zone]]s, the signing of [[Finance:International trade law|international trade treaties]], and [[Social:Globalization|globalization]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pierce Porras |first1=Allison |last2=Ramírez Vargas |first2=Alejandra |last3=Sandí Esquivel |first3=Adriana |date=2017-02-21 |title=Costa Rica: Exportaciones de servicios y sus principales mercados de destino |trans-title=Costa Rica: Service exports and their main destination markets |url=https://www.bccr.fi.cr/indicadores-economicos/DocCuentasNacionalesProyecto/documentoscnadocpresentaciones/Exportacionesdeservicio_y_sus_principales_mercados.pdf |department=Department of Macroeconomic Statistics |journal=Central Bank of Costa Rica |language=es |location=Costa Rica |publisher=Innovation and Integration of Statistics Project |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016185001/https://www.bccr.fi.cr/indicadores-economicos/DocCuentasNacionalesProyecto/documentoscnadocpresentaciones/Exportacionesdeservicio_y_sus_principales_mercados.pdf |archive-date=2023-10-16 |access-date=2023-10-16}}</ref>

By the end of 2022, Costa Rican exports had reached $15.723.2&nbsp;billion, representing a 9.5% increase compared to 2021, while imports totaled $21.397&nbsp;billion, marking a 16.4% increase.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Costa Rica |orig-date=2023-09-13 |title=Informe Mensual de Coyuntura Económica |trans-title=Monthly Economic Situation Report |url=https://www.bccr.fi.cr/publicaciones/DocPolticaMonetariaInflacin/IMCE_setiembre_2023.pdf |journal=Economic Division and Information Management Division |language=es |issue=7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001093740/https://www.bccr.fi.cr/publicaciones/DocPolticaMonetariaInflacin/IMCE_setiembre_2023.pdf |archive-date=2023-10-01}}</ref> The special economic zone regime accounted for 61.81% of export value and 21.15% of imports, while the definitive regime accounted for 38.19% of exports and 78.85% of imports. The top Costa Rican export products in 2022 included [[Medicine:Medical device|medical instruments and devices]] at $1.939&nbsp;billion (10.83%), [[Biology:Pineapple|fresh tropical pineapples]] at $1.735&nbsp;billion (9.69%), [[Engineering:Syringe|syringe]]s, needles, [[Medicine:Catheter|catheter]]s, [[Medicine:Cannula|cannula]]s, and the like at $1.407&nbsp;billion (7.86%), [[Biology:Banana|fresh bananas]] at $1.393&nbsp;billion (7.78%), and other [[Biology:Prosthesis|prosthetic articles]] and devices at $1.049&nbsp;billion (5.87%).

According to PROCOMER data, Costa Rica boasts 2,243 exporting companies dealing in 4,009 products destined for 153 international markets. From 2019 to 2022, foreign direct investment inflows reached $10.046&nbsp;billion, with 210 new companies attracted and reinvestments totaling $524&nbsp;million.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Key trading partners in 2022
! colspan="3" |Imports
! colspan="3" |Exports
|-
!Country
!Value
!%
!Country
!Value
!%
|-
|{{USA}}
|{{USD|10950157082|2022}}
|44.25
|{{USA}}
|{{USD|8117311924|2022}}
|45.34
|-
|{{CHN}}
|{{USD|3273313833|2022}}
|13.23
|{{NLD}}
|{{USD|1249629041|2022}}
|6.98
|-
|{{MEX}}
|{{USD|1306943677|2022}}
|5.28
|{{GUA}}
|{{USD|871940339|2022}}
|4.87
|-
|{{MYS}}
|{{USD|708334613}}
|2.86
|{{BEL}}
|{{USD|865792669|2022}}
|4.84
|-
|{{JAP}}
|{{USD|608546271|2022}}
|2.46
|{{PAN}}
|{{USD|674200862|2022}}
|3.77
|-
|Others
|{{USD|7 897 164 412|2022}}
|31.92
|Others
|{{USD|6122788885|2022}}
|34.20
|}

== Current organization ==
PROCOMER is composed of a board of directors, Internal audit, the [[Social:General manager|General Management]], and its executive support; a sub-management responsible for the Country [[Finance:Competition (economics)|Competitiveness]] Directorate, and five departments: Export Development, Trade and Investment [[Social:Facilitation (organisational)|Facilitation]], [[Social:Innovation|Innovation]] and [[Digital transformation]], [[Social:Operations management|Operations]], and Investment.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=2023-07-05 |title=Organigrama Institucional |trans-title=Institutional Organization Chart |url=https://www.procomer.com/wp-content/uploads/Orga.Institucional-Jul23.pdf |journal=Procomer |language=es |pages=2–8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018213733/https://www.procomer.com/wp-content/uploads/Orga.Institucional-Jul23.pdf |archive-date=2023-10-18}}</ref> 

{{columns-start|num=5}}
;Export Development Department
* [[Supply chain]] Directorate
* Exports Directorate
* New Exporters and Access to Financing Directorate
* International Offices Directorate
{{column}}
;Trade and Investment Facilitation Department
* [[Social:One-stop shop|One-stop shop]] Directorate
* Single Investment Shop Directorate
* [[Finance:Free-trade zone|Special Regimes]] Directorate
{{column}}
;Innovation and Digital Transformation Department
* Planning and [[Finance:Commercial intelligence|Commercial intelligence]] Directorate
* [[Engineering:Information technology|Information technology]] Directorate
* Innovation and Projects Directorate
{{column}}
;Operations Department
* Finance Administration Directorate
* [[Social:Human resources|Human resources]] Directorate
* Legal Advisory Directorate
* Communication, Marketing, and [[Social:Nation branding|Nation branding]] Directorate
{{column}}
;Investment Department
* Agriculture Directorate
* Advanced manufacturing Directorate
* Special Projects Directorate
* Establishment and Aftercare Directorate
{{columns-end}}

The board of directors is composed of the Minister of Foreign Trade, three representatives from the Executive, and the presidents of five business chambers: the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Exporters, the Chamber of Industries, the Chamber of Agriculture, and the Chamber of Small and Medium Exporters.<ref name=":1" />

=== National and International Offices ===
[[File:Oficinas_y_representaciones_de_Procomer_a_nivel_mundial.svg|thumb|Countries and territories where PROCOMER has offices (in blue) or executive representation (in green)]]
PROCOMER has 14 offices in Costa Rica: its central offices located in the capital, [[Place:San José, Costa Rica|San José]], and seven regional offices in the cantons of Perez Zeledón, San Carlos, Liberia, Limón, Puntarenas, Grecia, and one in Pococí, which also serves the canton of Sarapiquí. It also has six [[Social:One-stop shop|One-stop shop]] in San Jose, Limon, Paso Canoas, Peñas Blancas, and Juan Santamaría International Airport.

It has 26 international offices on four continents. In Asia, they are located in China, Japan, and {{wipe|South Korea}}; in Europe, they are found in Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, and the [[Place:Nordic countries|Nordic region]]; in the Middle East, they are in Israel, and in North America, they are located in Canada, Mexico, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and Houston in the United States. In Central America, there are offices in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Nicaragua. In the Caribbean, they have a presence in the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago, while in South America, they are located in Peru, Chile, and Ecuador.

In addition to the international offices, PROCOMER has executive or managerial representation in 126 countries worldwide, including Colombia, Australia, Brazil, Uruguay, Cuba, Indonesia, India, Saudi Arabia, [[Place:Egypt|Egypt]], {{wipe|Ukraine}}, {{wipe|Poland}}, Morocco, Mauritania, Sudan, and South Sudan.

== Functions ==
Article 8 of its organic law<ref name=":1" /> stipulates that PROCOMER has the objectives and functions of designing and coordinating programs related to [[Finance:Export|export]]s and [[Finance:Investment|investment]]s in accordance with the guidelines set by the Executive. Its responsibilities include providing technical and financial support to the Ministry of Foreign Trade to manage special export regimes, promoting the country's commercial interests abroad and defending them. PROCOMER also manages a [[Social:One-stop shop|one-stop]] foreign trade system to centralize and streamline import and export procedures. It tracks [[Finance:International trade|foreign trade]] statistics in coordination with relevant institutions, manages assets in trust, and enters into all contracts permitted by law to fulfill its objectives and functions. Furthermore, it supports small and medium-sized exporting businesses and those with export potential through programs aimed at providing information, training, and commercial promotion to facilitate their access to [[Social:Globalization|international markets]].{{Sfn|Gómez|Zolezzi|2018|p=34}}

In practice, PROCOMER promotes Costa Rican exports through marketing campaigns and participation in trade shows.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-29 |title=Costa Rica promociona su oferta de alimentos, industria y servicios en Expocomer 2023 |trans-title=Costa Rica promotes its food, industry and services offer at Expocomer 2023 |url=https://www.periodicomensaje.com/turismo-negocios/10531-costa-rica-promociona-su-oferta-de-alimentos-industria-y-servicios-en-expocomer-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329181650/https://www.periodicomensaje.com/turismo-negocios/10531-costa-rica-promociona-su-oferta-de-alimentos-industria-y-servicios-en-expocomer-2023 |archive-date=2023-03-29 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=periodicomensaje.com |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Europa Press |date=2023-10-10 |title=Costa Rica exhibe su oferta de industria alimentaria ante el mercado europeo en feria internacional ANUGA 2023 |trans-title=Costa Rica exhibits its food industry offer to the European market at the ANUGA 2023 international fair |url=https://www.europapress.es/comunicados/internacional-00907/noticia-comunicado-costa-rica-exhibe-oferta-industria-alimentaria-mercado-europeo-feria-internacional-anuga-2023-20231010010512.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010090833/https://www.europapress.es/comunicados/internacional-00907/noticia-comunicado-costa-rica-exhibe-oferta-industria-alimentaria-mercado-europeo-feria-internacional-anuga-2023-20231010010512.html |archive-date=2023-10-10 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=www.europapress.es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-08 |title=Advanced manufacturing from Costa Rica is being promoted at the MD&M West 2023 fair |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/advanced-manufacturing-costa-rica-being-151100236.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020052959/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/advanced-manufacturing-costa-rica-being-151100236.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAF8Qj6jvP4z45lUa-o_aNDiAv-zp7C7fXudiph24w7siU3hlPZBvnrBxrCM4LgUhB7txRLBH7n3RffGN7u4Ex2JISM6xCNHoxd7xWZw8W-Uhw1VEVWLW3aWgcNxFS73_xcgX1qPTCnCbjV8pjzfXy3Rx1jH4yv3dsIGKfbhmZp4i |archive-date=2023-10-20 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref> It works on simplifying and expediting import and export processes, reducing [[Organization:Bureaucracy|bureaucratic]] barriers, and promoting efficiency in foreign trade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernández |first=Ismael |date=2022-09-15 |title=El proyecto para simplificación de trámites tiene el apoyo de 4 municipalidades de Cartago |trans-title=Project to simplify procedures has the support of 4 municipalities of Cartago |url=https://www.mundiario.com/articulo/costa-rica/proyecto-simplificacion-tramites-tiene-apoyo-4-municipalidades-cartago/20220915195100251544.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915181532/https://www.mundiario.com/articulo/costa-rica/proyecto-simplificacion-tramites-tiene-apoyo-4-municipalidades-cartago/20220915195100251544.html |archive-date=2022-09-15 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Mundo Diario |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Granados |first=Greivin |date=2022-09-14 |title=4 munis firman convenio para simplificar trámites |trans-title=4 municipalities sign agreement to simplify procedures |url=https://www.diarioextra.com/Noticia/detalle/483542/4-munis-firman-convenio-para-simplificar-tr-mites- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020041000/https://www.diarioextra.com/Noticia/detalle/483542/4-munis-firman-convenio-para-simplificar-tr-mites- |archive-date=2023-10-20 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Diario Extra |language=ES}}</ref> The agency also conducts [[Finance:Market research|market research]] to help Costa Rican companies identify international business opportunities<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brenes |first=Luis Enrique |date=2023-08-03 |title=Café orgánico encuentra 'terreno fértil' en consumidores de Estados Unidos y Europa |trans-title=Organic coffee finds 'fertile ground' in consumers in the United States and Europe |url=https://www.nacion.com/economia/agro/cafe-organico-encuentra-terreno-fertil-en/ZUGU72WTYNFL3AJWXHRDR7AFRM/story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803122356/https://www.nacion.com/economia/agro/cafe-organico-encuentra-terreno-fertil-en/ZUGU72WTYNFL3AJWXHRDR7AFRM/story/ |archive-date=2023-08-03 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=La Nación |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lanzas |first=María |date=2023-01-04 |title=Diario Extra – Videojuegos de Costa Rica alcanzan mercados globales |trans-title=Costa Rican video games reach global markets |url=https://www.diarioextra.com/Noticia/detalle/490743/videojuegos-de-costa-rica-alcanzan-mercados-globales |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020041050/https://www.diarioextra.com/Noticia/detalle/490743/videojuegos-de-costa-rica-alcanzan-mercados-globales |archive-date=2023-10-20 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=www.diarioextra.com |language=ES}}</ref> and provides training and guidance to help them develop export strategies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Adison |date=2021-12-23 |title=Identifican potencial demanda de productos alimentarios ticos en Texas, según estudio de Procomer |trans-title=Potential demand for Costa Rican food products identified in Texas, according to Procomer study |url=https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/identifican-potencial-demanda-de-productos-alimentarios-ticos-en-texas-segun-estudio-de-procomer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223210257/https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/identifican-potencial-demanda-de-productos-alimentarios-ticos-en-texas-segun-estudio-de-procomer |archive-date=2021-12-23 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=La República |language=es}}</ref> Additionally, PROCOMER is responsible for promoting [[Finance:Foreign direct investment|foreign direct investment]] in Costa Rica, attracting companies and projects that contribute to the country's [[Finance:Economic development|economic development]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=May |first=Sebastian |date=2023-05-16 |title=Procomer lanza cursos en línea gratuitos para facilitar capacitación a empresas con interés de exportar |trans-title=Procomer launches free online courses to provide training to companies interested in exporting |url=https://delfino.cr/2023/05/procomer-lanza-cursos-en-linea-gratuitos-para-facilitar-capacitacion-a-empresas-con-interes-de-exportar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516195335/https://delfino.cr/2023/05/procomer-lanza-cursos-en-linea-gratuitos-para-facilitar-capacitacion-a-empresas-con-interes-de-exportar |archive-date=2023-05-16 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Delfino |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Villalobos |first=Natalia |date=2018-01-17 |title=PROCOMER inicia capacitaciones para el sector exportador |trans-title=PROCOMER begins training for the export sector |url=https://www.elpais.cr/2018/01/17/procomer-inicia-capacitaciones-para-el-sector-exportador/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306024344/https://www.elpais.cr/2018/01/17/procomer-inicia-capacitaciones-para-el-sector-exportador/ |archive-date=2021-03-06 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Diario Digital Nuestro País |language=es}}</ref>

{{columns-start|num=3}}
;Training<ref>{{Cite web |title=Training |url=https://www.procomer.com/exportador/capacitaciones/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021181515/https://www.procomer.com/exportador/capacitaciones/ |archive-date=2023-10-21 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Procomer}}</ref>
* The Export Decision (LADE) 
* Creating Exporters 
* Specialized Training 
* Packaging Workshop
{{column}}
;Programs<ref>{{Cite web |title=Programs |url=https://www.procomer.com/exportador/programas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021181340/https://www.procomer.com/exportador/programas/ |archive-date=2023-10-21 |access-date=2023-10-21 |website=Procomer}}</ref>
* Green Growth
* K-Global 
* Productive Chains
* Discover 
* Supplier Development 
* Ramp Up 
* Human Talent Strategy 
* Greentech
{{column}}
;Tools<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tools |url=https://www.procomer.com/inicio/herramientas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021174856/https://www.procomer.com/inicio/herramientas/ |archive-date=2023-10-21 |access-date=2023-10-21|website=Procomer}}</ref>
* CR Business Book
* Market Studies
* Export Guide
* Annual Reports
* Manual for Rural Women Entrepreneurs
* Fee Payment
* Statistical Portal
* Refundable Rights Regime
* Registration of National Companies Subcontracted by Companies Covered by the Free-Trade Regime
* Sales Report
* Free Trade Zone Regime Application System
* Special Regime Transaction System
* Integrated Logistics System
* Exporter's Test
* Foreign Trade [[Social:One-stop shop|One-stop]] (VUCE)
* Investment One-stop (VUI)
{{columns-end}}

=== 2023-2026 FDI attraction plan ===
On June 15, 2023, COMEX and PROCOMER presented the plan for attracting foreign direct investment to Costa Rica with goals to generate 100 000 jobs and attract 70 investment projects in regions outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM); achieve an investment of US$12,950 million over four years, 300 reinvestment projects, 200 new projects, 24 projects under the public-private partnership alliance ''DESCUBRE'', 8,000 jobs outside the GAM, 70 projects from new geographies, and 12,000 people employed through human talent programs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-16 |title=Procomer promete atraer 200 proyectos de inversión extranjera y crear 8.000 empleos fuera del GAM antes del 2026 tras asumir tareas de Cinde |url=https://observador.cr/procomer-promete-atraer-200-proyectos-de-inversion-extranjera-y-crear-8-000-empleos-fuera-del-gam-antes-del-2026-tras-asumir-tareas-de-cinde/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=El Observador CR |language=es}}</ref>

The plan is based on three pillars: attracting new FDI in established, emerging, and new sectors; providing support and advice in procedures, supplier management, new incentives, reinvestments, and the removal of obstacles to investment; and special programs outside the GAM, human talent and clusters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-16 |title=COMEX y PROCOMER proponen modelo de atracción de inversión extranjera para generar 100 mil empleos |url=https://www.monumental.co.cr/2023/06/15/comex-y-procomer-proponen-modelo-de-atraccion-de-inversion-extranjera-para-generar-100-mil-empleoss/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Monumental |language=es}}</ref>

== General Managers ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Period
|-
|Laura López Salazar
|2023–''current''
|-
|Pedro Beirute Prada
|2014–2023
|-
|Jorge Sequeira Picado
|2010–2014
|-
|Emanuel Hess
|2008–2010
|-
|Martín Zúñiga
|2004–2008
|-
|Manfred Kissling
|2002–2004
|-
|Leda Jiménez
|2000–2002
|-
|James Stanley
|1999–2000
|-
|Eduardo Alonso
|1996–1999
|}

== See also ==

* World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies
* China Investment Promotion Agency
* Board of Investment (Pakistan)
* Board of Investment of Sri Lanka
* IDA Ireland
* [[Finance:Invest Europe|Invest Europe]]
* Invest KOREA
* Invest Northern Ireland
* [[Finance:InvestUkraine|InvestUkraine]]
* Jordan Investment Commission
* Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica |url=https://d1qqtien6gys07.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Ley-7638.pdf |title=Expediente #12482 – Ley #7638 |publisher=Library of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica |year=1996 |location=Costa Rica |language=es |trans-title=Bill #12482 – Law #7638 |access-date=2023-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020064108/https://d1qqtien6gys07.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Ley-7638.pdf |archive-date=2023-10-20}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Gómez |first1=Arlina |last2=Zolezzi |first2=Sandro |date=2018-09-18 |title=Gobernanza de la formulación e implementación de políticas públicas para las exportaciones de servicios modernos en Costa Rica |trans-title=Governance of the formulation and implementation of public policies for exports of modern services in Costa Rica |url=https://unctad.org/system/files/non-official-document/gsp2018_ppt027_Costa%20Rica_es.pdf |url-status=live |journal=UNCTAD Global Services Forum and REDLAS Conference 2018: Knowledge-based Services for Sustainable Development |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502093456/https://unctad.org/system/files/non-official-document/gsp2018_ppt027_Costa%20Rica_es.pdf |archive-date=2021-05-02}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.waipa.org/ World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies website]


[[Category:International trade organizations]]
[[Category:Commercial policy]]
[[Category:Foreign direct investment]]

{{Sourceattribution|Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter}}