Costa Rica

PROCOMER's analysis of preliminary central bank data, published in early October, shows foreign direct investment of $2.74 billion in January–June 2026. That is 23.4% more than a year earlier, excluding a one-off beverage-company acquisition. Flows into free-trade-zone firms rose 35% to $1.74 billion, and the United States accounted for 68.9% of the total. The figures show the free-trade-zone model is still attracting capital despite the US tariffs, although analysts note that reinvestment by existing firms makes up a large share.

Infobae · 2026-10-05

On 28 September the government published Executive Decree 45941-H-MTSS-COMEX in La Gaceta. It orders the creation of an official list of goods linked to forced-labour risk and asks public bodies and businesses to identify and manage those risks in their supply chains. The decree responds to the extra 12.5% US tariff under Section 301 that has applied to Costa Rican goods since July. Exporters and importers should prepare for new supply-chain due-diligence requirements, which could also become the basis for talks to remove the US tariff.

Delfino.cr · 2026-09-28

On 24 September the Banco Central de Costa Rica's board voted by majority to keep the monetary policy rate at 3.00%. It said oil-transit disruptions in the Middle East, the worsening Russia-Ukraine war and possible El Niño effects on food output are likely to push up international commodity prices in the coming months. For entrants, this means local-currency borrowing costs are stable for now, and the bank is signalling that it is watching inflation risks more closely than growth.

Banco Central de Costa Rica · 2026-09-24

Consumer prices rose 0.34% in the 12 months to September, according to INEC data published on 7 October. This follows a 0.17% annual fall in August and is the first annual increase since April 2025. Firms that priced contracts or wages on the assumption of flat or falling prices should expect modest cost increases from here, though inflation is still very low.

The Rio Times (reporting INEC data) · 2026-10-07

No significant developments identified in this section for the reporting period.

Aperture editorial note · 2026-10-09