• Learn how Coyol Free Zone sets a new benchmark in transparency, legal certainty, and global trade excellence through OECD endorsement

In an era where transparency and ethical business practices are paramount for international trade, Coyol Free Zone (CFZ) has emerged as a benchmark for excellence. Recently, our Park achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the OECD Certification, a global seal of approval that underscores its commitment to lawful trade, transparency, and best practices.

Granted during the 2025 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris, this certification underscores Coyol Free Zone’s unwavering commitment to legal certainty, operational excellence, and international best practices—key factors that have made it a preferred destination for world-class companies in the Medical Device and Smart Manufacturing sectors.

To fully grasp the importance of the OECD Certification, it is essential to recognize that it stems from a rigorous audit process conducted by the TIC Council and supported by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This process has established Coyol Free Zone as a model for Free Trade Zones (FTZs) worldwide and provides valuable insights for both investors and policymakers. Additionally, it serves as a validation of Costa Rica’s stable legal framework, skilled workforce, and strategic location.

“This certification proves that Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zones operate at the highest international standards, combining competitiveness with transparency”, emphasized Manuel Tovar, Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Trade.

As global trade faces heightened scrutiny over illicit financial flows and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance, Coyol Free Zone’s achievement sets a new standard for how Free Trade Zones can balance competitiveness with accountability.

“Transparent Free Trade Zones are critical to fostering fair global trade. Coyol Free Zone exemplifies how zones can thrive while adhering to the highest compliance standards”, noted Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General.

A solid Free Trade Zone Regime fosters competitiveness

Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zone Regime provides a stable legal framework that guarantees investment security, tax incentives, and streamlined customs procedures. This regime has been instrumental in attracting multinational companies, fostering high-quality job positions, and bringing dynamism to many productive sectors including Smart Manufacturing, Medical Devices, Agriculture, and Services, among others.

According to Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), Free Trade Zones contribute over 50% of country’s exports and employ more than 100,000 people.

Coyol Free Zone hosts 34 world-class companies, and generates more than 24,000 quality jobs, mainly in the Medical Device sector.

This significant quality employment generation in our Park is accompanied by high labor productivity, which is 2.9 times the national average (1.9 times the national productivity).

Furthermore, Coyol Free Zone’s business hub is ideal for longstanding investments that are translated into record figures for exports every year. In 2023, foreign sales from companies installed in our industrial park reached US$4.440 million, accounting for 35% of total exports under the Free Zone regime.

Between 2022 and 2023 this figure increased 31%, equivalent to 3.3% of Costa Rica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Once again, our achievements highlight Costa Rica’s competitive advantage in the global market.

“We continue to be a reference of the country’s potential and talent to compete in the biggest leagues, and we can feel proud to be a role model for Free Zones around the world,” added Carlos Wong, Managing Director of CODE Development Group, co-developer of Coyol Free Zone, highlighting that with our  OECD-supported transparency, we are best positioned to keep growing and sustaining high-value investments.