About
This Webinar Series is a great opportunity for women-owned U.S. companies representing best prospect sectors such as Healthcare, Agribusiness, Construction, Renewable Energy Systems, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Cybersecurity, Automotive, Defense and Security, Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Equipment, Processed Food and Beverages, eCommerce, and Education. You will hear from U.S. Diplomats, local Government Officials and private sector experts to help you craft a market entry strategy.
The cost for each Webinar is just $25.Your organization can participate in one, two, or all Webinars. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact tradeamericas@trade.gov. These events are intended for U.S. Companies ONLY, incorporated under the laws of the U.S., with a product or service that has at least 51% U.S. content.
Whether you currently export to Colombia, Costa Rica, or Panama or are new to exporting, the importance of developing a strategic approach to these markets is critical to your success. This webinar series, from the U.S. Commercial Service, has been designed to help businesses strengthen the skills necessary to effectively do business in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama. Come learn how your company can be added to this impressive trading ecosystem.Take advantage of this great opportunity and learn about:
- Upcoming business opportunities in the region
- Best prospect sectors and upcoming project and sales opportunities
- U.S. Government international trade contacts to support your international sales growth
- Export financing, eCommerce, Logistics, Export Compliance, IPR Protection, and other key trade topics
- Resources designed to support women-owned businesses
- Business Opportunities in Colombia for Women-Owned Businesses – October 24, 2023
- Business Opportunities in Costa Rica for Women-Owned Businesses – October 31, 2023
- Business Opportunities in Panama for Women-Owned Businesses – November 14, 2023
- Resources and Financing for Women-Owned Businesses Looking to Increase Export Sales – November 28, 2023
- ECommerce, Digital Access, and Supply Chain Considerations for Women-Owned Businesses – December 12, 2023
- Export Skills Training, Legal, Compliance, and IPR Considerations for Women-Owned Business – December 19, 2023
Business Opportunities in Costa Rica for Woman-Owned Businesses (October 31, 2023).
Costa Rica has always been known as a country that punches above its weight. Despite being a small country, its indicators for GDP per capita and economic growth are some of the bests in the region. Costa Rica is a global leader in environmental policies and the combination or political stability, stable growth, a talented and educated population and good social and health indicators has led to the country being one of the top destinations for U.S. companies to identify a distributor or agent, or even establish a manufacturing or services center. Join this webinar to learn more about opportunities that will help you succeed in the Costa Rican market!
- Costa Rica has a well-educated labor force, strong English-language instruction, low levels of corruption, geographic proximity to the United States, and attractive free trade zone incentives, all which offer strong appeal to exporters and investors.
- Costa Rica ratified the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) in 2009. This free trade agreement eliminated most of the tariffs for non-agricultural imports and has made trade and investment in the region more attractive to U.S. companies.
- The United States and Costa Rica continue to enjoy a strong and mutually beneficial economic relationship. The United States is Costa Rica’s largest trade and investment partner.
- Costa Rica’s current Administration has prioritized increasing the role of women in leadership roles in government and business. Fully 50% of President Chaves’ cabinet is made up of women, making Costa Rica the second country in Latin America with the highest participation of women in leadership positions in government, behind only Chile.
- To expand the number of women-led Costa Rican exporters, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment has created programs like “Impulsa”, assisting micro and SME women companies to integrate into global supply chains via training, mentorship, and financing programs. In early 2023, the Ministry of Economy, Industry & Commerce launched “Mujer Mypime: Programa de Aceleracion de Empresas Liderades por Mujeres”, providing women entrepreneurs tools to improve management skills and access to financing for their companies.
- Costa Rican women represent 80% of the workforce in five key sectors: education, commerce, hotels and restaurants, communication, and manufacturing. Some of the country’s most prominent businesses are led by women, including the American Chamber of Commerce, Microsoft Costa Rica and Intel Costa Rica.
Delia Valdivia
International Trade Specialist @ U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce
Delia Valdivia is an international trade specialist with the West Los Angeles office of the U.S. Commercial Service, the export promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce and has over 18 years of experience as an international trade professional.
Ms. Valdivia assists small to medium-sized businesses to reach their exporting potential by identifying key export markets, developing market entry strategies, and providing information on regulations and import requirements in markets around the world. Her portfolio includes information and communication technology, marine technology, and safety & security sectors. She has planned and led horizontal trade missions throughout Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and South America. She regularly collaborates with a wide range of trade promotion partners throughout Los Angeles to organize outreach and educational events on exporting.
She holds Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and International Business from Mount St. Mary’s College She is also a Certified Global Business Professional. Delia is fluent in Spanish. She is a native Angeleno, where she lives with her husband, son, daughter, and pet, Petey. Delia spends her weekends at the baseball and softball fields watching her kids play ball.
Paulina Matamoros
Senior | Global Trade @ Grant Thornton Costa Rica
Paulina graduated from Customs Administration and International Trade from Universidad de Costa Rica and has also a specialization on Origin Norms for Trade Agreements and Foreign Trade. She has been in the consulting arena since 2015 in different Costa Rican legal firms like: Arias & Munoz. She also worked in Import, export and logistics management of the U.S. consumer goods company: Kimberly-Clark and more recently she joined the Grant Thornton family to assess international and local companies and individuals with her expertise.
Ryan Hollowell
Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Costa Rica
