In July 2023, this country was designated as the first strategic ally of the United States, under the Chips and Science Act of 2022, which provides US$52.7 billion to boost the production of computer chips in and out of the United States.
This Thursday, Costa Rica will become the first Latin American country to present a roadmap with deadlines and designated responsible parties to become a regional 'hub' for the semiconductors industry.
This is a key step to generate new investments, productive chains and qualified job opportunities, explained the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica.
According to the Central American country's authorities, Costa Rica is at a historic moment, reflecting the strategic alliance with the United States to be part of the solution that the global context and the technology industry demand.
The authorities also emphasized that they were designated the first strategic ally country of the United States in July 2023, under the chips and science law. This legislation, passed in 2022, provides US$52.7 billion to boost US production of computer chips. Yesterday, the United States announced a package of aid and subsidies worth almost US$20 billion for American semiconductor giant Intel to increase its chip production, a need underpinned by the trade and tech war with China since the Trump administration.
The door is now open for Costa Rica and the United States to explore opportunities to diversify and expand the semiconductor ecosystem, as well as to establish a more transparent, secure and sustainable value chain.
At the same time, the roadmap will outline the strategic lines that will strengthen Costa Rica's capacity to train talent for the assembly, packaging and testing of semiconductors.
In the upcoming presentation of the National Semiconductor Strategy, the Costa Rican government will be accompanied by the Secretary of Commerce of the United States, Gina Raimondo. The official will use her visit to highlight the bilateral trade and investment relationship between the United States and Costa Rica and underscore the need for diverse and resilient semiconductor supply chains.
Along these lines, it will address the need for geographic diversification of the semiconductor ecosystem toward like-minded nations, through meetings with Costa Rican government officials and the semiconductor industry representatives.
For the United States, Costa Rica is, along with Panama, a country to lean towards in this matter as it is considered "an important partner" to ensure the current pace of transformation of the semiconductor supply chain, the Costa Rican government said in promotional video launched in social media.
For years, Costa Rica has been an assembly center for small electronic and consumer care products, as well as other outsourced services for American firms in different areas, from pharmaceuticals to mechanics.
