# Electronica 24: Innovation, Economic Transformation, Democracy and Sustainability in Costa Rica

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2025-01-31
- Length: 7m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-31-electronica-24-innovation-economic-transformation-democracy-and-sustainability-i

## Summary

Carolina Sánchez, Director of Advanced Manufacturing at PROCOMER, explains why Costa Rica is attracting major electronics firms like Zollner, Intel, and Siemens through a combination of skilled talent, tax incentives, and political stability. She highlights the country's nearshoring advantages for serving US and South American markets, supported by robust free trade agreements and a legal framework that ensures rule of law. The conversation emphasizes Costa Rica's sustainability credentials, specifically its 95-99% renewable energy usage, which aligns with European regulatory requirements and corporate values.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-31-electronica-24-innovation-economic-transformation-democracy-and-sustainability-i#t=8) Introduction: PROCOMER and the Costa Rican Investment Case
- [0:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-31-electronica-24-innovation-economic-transformation-democracy-and-sustainability-i#t=50) Key Companies: Zollner, Intel, Siemens, and Applied Materials
- [1:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-31-electronica-24-innovation-economic-transformation-democracy-and-sustainability-i#t=115) Strategic Advantages: Nearshoring, Trade Agreements, and Talent
- [2:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-31-electronica-24-innovation-economic-transformation-democracy-and-sustainability-i#t=138) Sustainability: 99% Renewable Energy and Green Alignment
- [3:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-31-electronica-24-innovation-economic-transformation-democracy-and-sustainability-i#t=193) Political Stability: Democracy, No Army, and Education
- [4:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-31-electronica-24-innovation-economic-transformation-democracy-and-sustainability-i#t=271) Electronica 2024 Feedback and Medical Device Expertise
- [6:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-31-electronica-24-innovation-economic-transformation-democracy-and-sustainability-i#t=366) PROCOMER's Role as a Free One-Stop Shop for Investors

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Zollner (company)
- Intel (company)
- Siemens (company)
- Applied Materials (company)
- PROCOMER (company)
- Electronica 2024 (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [What the U.S. Can Learn From the German Manufacturing Model w/ Jon DeSouza](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-06-11-what-the-u-s-can-learn-from-the-german-manufacturing-model-w-jon-desouza) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [PCBs, Global Innovation Policy & the CHIPS Act](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-02-27-pcbs-global-innovation-policy-the-chips-act) (OnTrack)
- [Ep. 15: Can Mexico Become Robotics’ Next Powerhouse? | The Robo Success Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-08-25-ep-15-can-mexico-become-robotics-next-powerhouse-the-robo-success-podcast) (The Robo Success Podcast)
- [How Colocating R&D Drives Manufacturing Innovation w/ Martin DeBono](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-01-how-colocating-r-d-drives-manufacturing-innovation-w-martin-debono) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Growing Manufacturing in Transitioning Economies with Michael Goldberg & Brandon Cornuke](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2019-11-04-growing-manufacturing-in-transitioning-economies-with-michael-goldberg-brandon-c) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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