The 61 international service companies operating in Costa Rica’s Zona Francas ( free zones) will contribute some us$773 million – us$173 million more than in 2007– to overall exports, according to estimates from the Costa Rican Coalition for Development Initiatives (CINDE in Spanish) based on data from the Central Bank.
The Coalition also mentioned that the exports of the sector have grown 30 percent since 2002.
These companies carry out both captive operations – their own regional ones – and also provide outsourcing for other firms, which is what many call centers do.
Regarding jobs, the sector now employs 20,000 people, from 2,900 at the start. Western Union, for example, offers services in eight languages and employs 1,200 people.
If one of the firm’s computers in Africa fails, engineers here immediately repair it. They also handle assistance for in America, Europe, and the Middle East.
