Companies based in Coyol Free Zone account for more than 50% of Medical Device and Precision Equipment annual exports in Costa Rica under manufacturing segment
The Life Sciences industry in Costa Rica has undergone a transformation and exponential growth in recent years, placing our country on the global map in this sector.
There are over 90 Life Sciences companies in Costa Rica, with 13 being the main producers of original medical devices (OEM’s) globally. Additionally, over 100 companies serve as local suppliers to these multinationals, with 50 being of national origin.
The country’s strategic efforts in attracting and retaining such companies, along with a pool of trained talent and the integration of international standards in our local ecosystem using a cluster approach, have enabled these companies to achieve optimal maturity.
In the future, the country needs to rise the value chain, attract more research and development projects, and get more national companies to supply the industry.
This ambitious development plan also entails the creation of numerous quality job opportunities in the Life Sciences sector. What skills should workers in this field have to get a job or advance in their current position? Here are some key skills:
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Workers in the Life Sciences sector need exceptional problem-solving skills to succeed.
People who can analyze complex problems and apply effective solutions will always be in high demand. This requires a combination of analytical and creative thinking, as well as strong decision-making skills.
In this sector, individuals must be capable of managing and organizing large volumes of data, selecting variables, and effectively articulating the problems to be solved.
Data analysis and interpretation: In the Life Sciences sector, there is a wide range of jobs that require digital skills and the ability to understand different software and applications. For instance, development scientists need to report data to their team and develop substances, so workers professionals must have knowledge of analytics, design engineering, and data science.
Communication and Cooperation: It is essential to be assertive and maintain good interpersonal relationships while working in the Life Sciences sector, in order to foster trust and mutual understanding within interdisciplinary teams.
People in this sector need to communicate their findings and ideas across various branches of science, including biochemistry, biotechnology, and behavioral sciences. Furthermore, with the ongoing growth of innovations and personalized medicines, there will be an increased demand for experts who can interpret and effectively communicate this information.
Adaptability: Life Sciences is a rapidly evolving industry with complex regulations and accelerating digital innovation.
Workers are required to be agile, adaptable to new technologies, and flexible in responding to challenging situations.
Undoubtedly, this sector will continue to grow as the demand for medicines increases, so workers must be well equipped to keep pace with these changes.
In addition to these skills, resilience and a continuous learning mindset are crucial to success in the Life Sciences. Cultivating and honing these skills can open a world of exciting opportunities, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries and breakthroughs in sciences and healthcare.
Professional and technical careers in demand for the Life Sciences industry
Costa Rica and the installed companies need to ensure that people are trained in specific areas to provide talent for Life Science multinationals. These are the most in-demand careers:
The companies based in our Coyol Free Zone account for more than 50% of Medical Device and Precision Equipment annual exports in Costa Rica under the manufacturing segment. Furthermore, the operating ecosystem of the 34 installed companies currently create more than 23,000 direct and quality jobs.