According to the report “Free Trade Zones: 35 Years of Creating Value for Costa Rica,” published by PROCOMER, 420 companies in the services sector were operating under the Free Trade Zone Regime (FTZR) as of 2024, representing 67% of all companies operating under the regime.
The high-value-added services industry has become a major driver of employment and skilled workforce development in Costa Rica, providing quality jobs for approximately 120,000 people. This figure represents nearly 61% of the direct jobs created under the Free Trade Zone Regime (FTZR), according to 2024 data from Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER).
For the past 27 years, America Free Zone (AFZ) has contributed to the growth of this sector as a free trade zone specializing in knowledge-intensive services. Today, AFZ is home to 37 multinational companies and supports a workforce of more than 15,000 people. Its leadership in the industry is built on a value proposition guided by the 3P+I vision: People, Planet, and Prosperity, powered by Innovation.
“People are at the heart of our value proposition and play a critical role in making us a strategic partner for companies whose operations rely on knowledge and advanced technology. It’s not just about attracting top talent, but also about supporting their personal and professional growth in a healthy, inclusive, and innovative work environment that promotes employee well-being and long-term retention,” explained Carlos Sandí, General Manager of AFZ.
