Asian and Latin American Companies Target Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is coordinating a strategic investment drive targeting corporations with operational footprints in Asia and Latin America to expand the island’s manufacturing sector. The initiative is led by the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) and Invest Puerto Rico, the island’s primary economic development organization.

The effort focuses on attracting high-technology and pharmaceutical firms, with a specific emphasis on companies based in South Korea, and Japan. These agencies are positioning the island as a primary entry point for foreign firms seeking to establish a presence within the United States market while leveraging Puerto Rico’s specific tax incentives and geographic location.

Strategic Integration with Federal Programs

To facilitate these investments, Puerto Rican authorities are utilizing the SelectUSA program. This federal initiative, managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, assists foreign companies in navigating the complexities of investing in the United States. By integrating SelectUSA resources, Invest Puerto Rico aims to provide a seamless transition for Asian and Latin American firms to set up manufacturing plants on the island.

The strategy emphasizes Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. Jurisdiction, which ensures that companies operating You’ll see subject to U.S. Federal law and have direct access to the U.S. Domestic market. This legal framework is intended to mitigate the risks often associated with foreign direct investment in other Latin American or Caribbean territories.

Targeted Manufacturing Sectors

The DDEC and Invest Puerto Rico have identified specific industrial sectors that align with the capabilities of firms from South Korea and Japan. These include:

• Semiconductor and microchip fabrication
• Advanced medical device manufacturing
• Biopharmaceutical production
• Specialized electronics assembly

The focus on these sectors is intended to diversify the island’s industrial base, which has historically been heavily reliant on a small number of large pharmaceutical corporations. By attracting a broader array of Asian tech firms, the government aims to create a more resilient economic ecosystem.

Colmena66, a business coordination entity, is playing a role in organizing these international interests and connecting foreign executives with local infrastructure and regulatory guidance.

Economic Incentives and Infrastructure

The attraction for companies from Asia and Latin America includes a combination of local tax credits and the availability of specialized industrial parks. The DDEC is promoting the island’s existing logistics infrastructure, which is designed to handle the export and import of high-value manufactured goods.

Beyond tax advantages, the government is highlighting workforce development programs aimed at training local technicians to meet the specific operational standards of South Korean and Japanese manufacturing processes. This focus on human capital is presented as a critical component for the long-term sustainability of new foreign plants.

The push for these investments occurs within a broader global trend of nearshoring and friendshoring, where companies relocate their supply chains to politically allied or geographically closer regions to avoid disruptions seen in global logistics over recent years.

Market Context and Objectives

The objective of this outreach is to increase the volume of foreign direct investment (FDI) and create high-paying technical jobs. By targeting companies that already have a presence in both Asia and Latin America, Puerto Rico seeks to act as a bridge, allowing these firms to synchronize their global operations through a U.S.-based hub.

The DDEC has indicated that the success of these initiatives depends on the continued stability of the island’s energy grid and the streamlining of permit processes for new construction. These infrastructure improvements are being presented to potential investors as part of the island’s commitment to operational reliability.

As of May 7, 2026, the coordination between Invest Puerto Rico and international trade delegations continues to focus on securing formal commitments from firms in the semiconductor and biotech sectors to establish permanent facilities on the island.