LATAM FDI: Expertise in Foreign Direct Investment Marketing in Latin America

Panama is famous for its canal, but the country's economic story runs much deeper. In this episode, LATAM FDI sits down with Horacio Estribi — a former public servant and national and international consultant with a master's from Harvard's Kennedy School and 35 years across government, banking, and academia — to unpack how foreign direct investment has shaped Panama and where it needs to go next.Estribi walks through the sectors that built Panama's growth model: logistics, ports, real estate, banking, and tourism, plus the canal's Panamax expansion. He explains the SEM multinational headquarters regime that drew nearly 200 regional HQs — Mars, Dell, Nestlé, BMW, Procter & Gamble, Samsung — and why connectivity, a dollarized economy, and a flexible immigration system matter as much as tax incentives. Success stories like the Colón Free Zone and Panama Pacific round out the picture.But the heart of the conversation is candid: Panama is still growing, just more slowly, and Estribi argues it's time to evolve — toward knowledge, innovation, the digital economy, and even semiconductor supply chains. He points to lessons from Costa Rica, the need to train bilingual talent in AI and problem-solving, and the shift from fiscal perks to one-stop-shop efficiency and less bureaucracy.A clear-eyed look at what's worked, what's changing, and how investors can plug in.

In this episode, Juliana Gomez, CEO of Invest in Bogotá, discusses the city’s growing role as a leading destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latin America.Invest in Bogotá serves as the city’s official investment promotion agency, acting as a strategic advisor to multinational companies looking to establish or expand operations. In addition to attracting FDI, the organization promotes Bogotá as a hub for corporate tourism and international business events, reinforcing its position as a regional business platform.Bogotá stands out due to its economic scale and strategic importance, generating approximately 30% of Colombia’s GDP and offering the country’s largest and most sophisticated talent pool. The city also benefits from strong connectivity, anchored by El Dorado International Airport, one of the busiest in South America for both cargo and passenger traffic.Key sectors driving investment include IT services, knowledge-based industries, fintech, shared services (GBS), and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Bogotá has become a major hub for shared service operations, hosting over half of Colombia’s total GBS centers. The city is also prioritizing emerging areas such as AI, smart city development, infrastructure, logistics, and audiovisual content production, including gaming and digital media.Looking ahead, Invest in Bogotá is managing a robust pipeline of over 600 investment opportunities, with the United States as a primary source of investment. The long-term vision is to position Bogotá as a high-value, service-driven economy, focused on innovation, startups, and technology-enabled industries such as fintech, healthtech, agritech, and govtech.Gomez emphasizes that Bogotá offers companies the ability to scale operations efficiently in Latin America, supported by its deep talent pool, strong connectivity, and proven investment track record. Through close collaboration between public and private sectors, Invest in Bogotá provides free, hands-on support to help companies navigate and establish successful operations in the city.

In this episode, Pilar Madrigal of CINDE shares insights on the evolving landscape of foreign direct investment (FDI), with a focus on Costa Rica’s positioning in a changing global economy.She explains that while global FDI may appear to be slowing, it is actually undergoing a structural transformationdriven by geopolitical shifts, supply chain reconfiguration, and increased risk awareness. Companies are making more strategic, long-term decisions, prioritizing resilience, diversification, and proximity to key markets, which has accelerated trends like nearshoring—benefiting regions like Latin America.Costa Rica has positioned itself as a strong FDI destination, particularly in life sciences, medical devices, advanced manufacturing, and knowledge-based services. The country’s success is rooted in its skilled workforce and its ability to evolve from basic operations into high-value activities like R&D and innovation hubs.Madrigal highlights that artificial intelligence is transforming—not replacing—service roles, shifting workers toward more analytical and strategic functions that require human context and critical thinking. As a result, companies increasingly seek talent with digital skills, adaptability, bilingual capabilities, and strong problem-solving abilities.To remain competitive, Costa Rica must continue strengthening its talent pipeline, infrastructure, public security, and overall competitiveness, while regularly updating its value proposition based on investor needs. Madrigal emphasizes the importance of maintaining close relationships with multinational companies to understand and respond to their evolving priorities.Finally, she notes that Costa Rica’s recent election is expected to bring policy continuity, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a stable and reliable partner for global investment.

The Rise of Nearshore Tech Talent in Latin AmericaIn this episode of LATAM FDI, host Steve speaks with Arin Sime, CEO and founder of AgilityFeat, a U.S.-based software development and nearshore staffing firm operating in Latin America. With over 15 years of experience, Arin shares powerful insights into why nearshoring to Latin America is becoming a game-changer for U.S. tech companies.💡 Key Takeaways:Why Nearshoring Works: Arin breaks down the top three benefits of nearshoring—geographic proximity, cost efficiency, and access to skilled tech talent with strong English skills. With time zone alignment, communication is seamless, and collaboration is more effective than with offshore teams on the other side of the world.Why Panama & Colombia: Arin chose Panama for its business-friendly policies and Colombia for its massive, growing tech community. Both offer vibrant ecosystems, easy travel, and high English proficiency—ideal for companies looking to scale in Latin America.Pandemic-Driven Shift: The pandemic fast-tracked the acceptance of remote work, opening up U.S. companies to the idea that their teams could be based anywhere—including Latin America—without sacrificing performance or productivity.Pitfalls of Traditional Outsourcing: From compliance challenges to IP protection and vendor lock-in, Arin outlines why many firms hesitate—and how AgilityFeat's new Build, Operate, Transfer model helps overcome these hurdles by guiding companies through setting up their own secure, cost-effective subsidiaries.The Future of Tech in LATAM: Countries like Colombia, Chile, and Argentina are investing heavily in education, AI training, and public-private tech partnerships. Arin emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and AI readiness to maintain LATAM's upward trajectory.💬 “If it’s good enough for Google, it’s probably good enough for your tech company too.” – Arin SimeWhether you're a startup or an enterprise, this episode offers practical insights and a clear roadmap for tapping into the nearshore tech goldmine waiting for you.

Marcial Smester, Investment Director at ProDominicanaIn this eye-opening episode of the LATAM FDI podcast, Marcial Smester, Investment Director at ProDominicana, breaks down why the Dominican Republic is becoming one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment in Latin America.From nearly 60 years of economic stability and consistent 5%+ GDP growth, to a prime geographic location and robust trade agreements with the U.S., EU, CARICOM, and more—Marcial shares the strategic advantages that position the DR as a gateway to over 1.2 billion consumers worldwide.You’ll hear about:Special Economic Zones offering full tax exemptions for exportersIncentives for tourism, renewable energy, and high-tech manufacturingThe country’s transformation from a textile hub to a leader in medical devices and semiconductorsCompetitive labor and industrial space costsA skilled, English-speaking workforce backed by world-class training programsMarcial also shares success stories of global players like AES, Barrick Gold, and Medtronic thriving in the DR—and invites investors to come experience the opportunity firsthand.📩 Contact Marcial: [email protected]

In this episode of the LATAM FDI Podcast, we sit down with Maria Paula Arenas, the Vice President of Investment at ProColombia, the agency tasked with promoting investment, exports, and tourism in Colombia. With her deep background in public policy and economic development, Maria Paula offers a rich and honest look at what makes Colombia a rising destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).Here’s what you’ll hear:🌱 Top Sectors for Investment – Colombia is laser-focused on sectors aligned with sustainable growth from agro-industry to renewable energy. Maria Paula outlines the five key industries investors should watch and highlights the critical role of value-added services.⚡ Energy Transition & Reindustrialization – Colombia is not just talking about sustainability—it’s taking serious action. Discover how the country’s clean energy matrix, policy roadmap, and long-term vision draw global interest in solar, hydro, and photovoltaic projects.🌍 Global Strategy & Local Partnerships – With 24 offices worldwide, ProColombia is everywhere investors need them to be. Maria Paula shares how they provide “after-care” services, help investors navigate regulations, and form strategic alliances like their recent MOU with the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce.🇺🇸 Focus on U.S. Investors – While the U.S. remains Colombia’s top partner, new regional collaborations are opening doors in states like North Carolina and potentially Arizona. Maria Paula emphasizes ProColombia’s truthful, supportive approach to building lasting investor relationships.

🎧 LATAM FDI Podcast: Business Opportunities in Paraguay with Javier Viveros 🇵🇾In this episode of the LATAM FDI podcast, we welcome Javier Viveros, Vice Minister of Investments and Exports at Rediex Paraguay. Javier shares valuable insights into Paraguay’s thriving investment climate, including:✅ Paraguay’s competitive tax structure and business-friendly policies✅ The success of the Maquiladora Program and its opportunities for foreign investors✅ Key industries driving the economy, from agribusiness to manufacturing✅ Paraguay’s strategic role within Mercosur and access to a 300-million-strong market✅ Investment opportunities in infrastructure and logistics developmentJavier also highlights Paraguay’s young and skilled workforce, flexible labor laws, and the country’s impressive macroeconomic stability, which have positioned it as a top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latin America.

Economist and Former Minster of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru

Carolina is the executive director of an organization in Cartagena, Colombia, called Invest in Cartagena and Bolivar. 

A Chat with the Paraguayan Ambassador to the United States.

Investment in Latin America with Mauricio Claver-Carone

A conversation about foreign investment in Guatemala

LATAM - Americas Trade and Investment

The IMMEX Program in Mexico

Industrial Real Estate in Mexico

The Foreign Direct Investment Costa Rica Summit 2024

Invest Minas: A conversation with Gustavo Almeida

Doing Business in Medellin, Colombia

Foreign Direct Investment in Honduras

Foreign Direct Investment in the Dominican Republic

Agribusiness Investment in El Salvador by LATAM FDI

The Free Zone Regime in Costa Rica

Manufacturing in Mexico with Ricardo Rascon

Investing in Brazil, An Overview with Marcos Antonio Mandacaru

Outsourcing to Mexico with Arturo Rodriguez

Investing in Colombia with Henry Arias

Invest in Guatemala

Investing in Uruguay with Juan Carlos Rodriguez

Doing business in Chile with Veronica Medina

Doing Business in Costa Rica; A Procomer Overview

Invest in Honduras with GK Global

LATAM FDI has an in-depth conversation with Jason Wolfe, president of Novalink in Matamoros and Saltillo, Mexico on how to choose a manufacturing partner in Mexico.