The mayor of San José, Costa Rica, Johnny Araya, is promoting the creation of a hi-tech city that would not only generate foreign investment but also organizational linkages and the promotion of “start-ups” with great potential.

The project, which is just in the beginning stages, could be ready in the next five years,”We have already been working since over a year ago in promoting San José as a technological destination in the eyes of the investors. We expect to have visual material ready in the next three months of how the tech park could look”, said Mauricio Gonzalez, adviser to Johnny Araya.

Gonzalez also confirmed the interest of banks and investment firms on taking part of this project but he preferred not to mention any names.

The Ministry of Foreign Commerce, the investment promotion agency, CINDE, and the foreign trade promotion office, PROCOMER, are already working on the promotion of this idea and seeking possible investors and participants in the project.

The Municipality hopes to attract foreign investment, the establishment of technology focused universities, software development companies, and companies that specialize in the areas of robotics, artificial intelligence, medical, and pharmaceutical, among others.

Araya and his team expect to have the final design, the permits and financial source ready and approved in a two-year period and at this point start the construction of the park to conclude by 2022. The Municipality has an initial architectonic proposal created by Gensler, one of the largest firms in this area with presence in 16 countries.

The tech-city would be developed in an area of 18,000 square meters and is an ambitious project that would change the face of the capital city, creating jobs and increasing security in this area.