• CODE Development Group will invest $50 million of a total of $200 million in the first stage.

• OKAY Industries will be one of the first multinational companies to set up shop in this free zone.

• Strong social impact for inhabitants of the Western region of the country.

 

Alajuela, Costa Rica, December 2.  Evolution Free Zone, the new free zone that began today the construction of infrastructure works and buildings in Tacares de Grecia, will generate about 20 thousand quality jobs that will benefit, in the next 15 years, the inhabitants of Alajuela, San Ramón, Grecia, Atenas, Naranjo, Palmares, Poás, Zarcero and Valverde Vega, among other points in the West of the country.

 

CODE Development Group, with 100% national capital and extensive experience in the construction and administration of Industrial Parks and Free Trade Zones in Costa Rica, will invest US$50 million in the first phase of Evolution, out of a total estimated at $200 million. The new generation smart park, where innovation, technology and sustainable development will be fundamental pillars, will be developed on 100 hectares of land located next to Route 1.  

 

Vision, humanity and ethics motivate this free zone that aims to attract High Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Value Added Services companies to the western area of the province of Alajuela. It is an Industrial Park where world-class infrastructure, global ideas and human talent converge to offer multinational companies the possibility of a long-term plan to ensure their future growth.

 

One of the first global companies to set up shop in this free zone is OKAY Industries, specialized in the manufacturing of high-precision metal and plastic components, used in different surgical procedures to improve the lives of patients around the world. The growth and expansion process of Okay Industries, established in the country for 10 years, includes more than 10,000 m², adding to its capabilities clean rooms, greater assembly capacity in molding areas and metal finishing processes, so plans to generate 200 new jobs.

 

Alvaro Carballo, President of Code Development Group, assures that “Evolution is committed to being a free zone integrated into the community, with global standards that improve the quality of life and well-being of the inhabitants of the Western region of Alajuela.”

 

Currently more than 60 thousand people leave the West to work in other areas of the country, which is why it seeks to generate greater roots and economic wealth in this region.

 

The President of the Republic, Mr. Rodrigo Chaves, assures “we promised to remove obstacles and eliminate unnecessary procedures that not only affect the pockets of investors, but also delay the development of communities such as those in Western Alajuela, full of talent and technology, eager to be used and to contribute their knowledge to the country. That is why today, thanks to the efforts of many people involved, we can tell you that we complied.”

 

The Free Trade Zone regime plays a central driving role within the country's economic system and has a multiplier effect in terms of employment. During 2021, this sector generated almost 188,000 jobs and represented 12% of Costa Rica's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with an absolute contribution of US$7.23 billion.

 

In addition, free zones positively impact small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) in Costa Rica, through the transfer of technology, knowledge and best practices, as a result of the commercial relationship they share. This is a successful model that generates 11,000 productive chains and local purchases for US$3,108.5 million.

 

Human talent and social impact

 

As its name indicates, Evolution Free Zone hopes to develop, transform and generate growth and new opportunities for the communities of the Western Alajuela region, which has human talent with an outstanding technical and professional level.

 

Consistent with its vision of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Evolution Free Zone has been working with the communities, schools, colleges and organizations in the areas near the future technology park.  In recent months, very positive meetings have been held with Development Associations, educational centers, local governments and neighbors, to learn about their realities and seek future activities for the common good, in order to contribute sustainably to the communities.

 

For Alvaro Carballo, “with its social projects and its economic impact, Evolution Free Zone will mark a before and after for the Western region of Alajuela.”  Working with communities is one of the priorities, which is why a community relations program is already being developed, called Evoluciona, which will allow the Western region to be promoted significantly, with a long-term vision for the well-being of the community. canton and its inhabitants.

 

Carballo explained that the commitment is to promote and enhance the technical and academic development of human resources in the area, to meet the demand for talent that will increase with the installation of more companies in Evolución Free Zone.

 

This free zone also aspires to become a park focused on environmental sustainability and to this end it has the most experienced engineering team in the country in the construction of world-class industrial buildings and smart environments, with the highest global standards.

 

The technology park will be surrounded by green spaces where there is a balance with nature, the reduction of the Carbon footprint, water reuse, use of alternative energies, recycling and the good disposal of waste from productive activity.

 

With this environment, Evolution Free Zone aims to integrate education, production and environment, focused on sectors that are potentially more attractive to the changes that Costa Rica is experiencing in competitiveness, such as smart manufacturing, life sciences, electronics and value-added services. .