PRESS RELEASE
U.S. Minority Chamber of Commerce Announces Light Manufacturing & Contract Manufacturing Program in Costa Rica and Honduras
Strategic Production Partnerships Target Food, Textiles, Leather, Construction Materials, Electrical Components and Other Product Assemblies at Low Cost
San José, Costa Rica — September 25, 2026
The United States Minority Chamber of Commerce today announced a new Light Manufacturing and Contract Manufacturing Program designed to connect U.S. companies with manufacturing partners in Costa Rica and Honduras, utilizing local raw materials, production capabilities and skilled labor to manufacture products for the U.S. market.
The initiative is being developed around a network of more than 20 manufacturing facilities and production partners that have expressed interest in producing goods for U.S. businesses. The program is projected by the Chamber to contribute to the creation of more than 5,000 employment opportunities through expanded manufacturing activity and related logistics.
The program is particularly focused on companies seeking short-run or scalable production, allowing supermarkets, restaurant chains, franchises, distributors, retailers and other commercial buyers to obtain products manufactured according to their specifications and inventory requirements.
From Agricultural Products to Consumer Goods
Among the opportunities being developed are the production and processing of:
- Natural and organic fruit-juice concentrates, including a proposed portfolio of 24 juice varieties
- Coffee and specialty agricultural products
- Shrimp, lobster and other seafood products
- Vegetables and other non-traditional agricultural products
- Specialty and culturally familiar “nostalgic” products for U.S. consumers
- Cookies, plantain chips and other packaged foods
- Clothing, uniforms and private-label apparel
- Shoes and leather products
- High-design garments and specialty fashion
- Electrical and construction-related materials
- Product assemblies and other light-manufacturing requirements
The Chamber’s objective is to establish production relationships capable of serving companies that need reliable manufacturing capacity, customized specifications, quality control and scalable inventory production.
“This is a coordinated effort with manufacturing partners that already operate production facilities in different sectors, including food, textiles, electrical products, construction materials and other areas,” said Mr. Doug Mayorga, CEO of the United States Minority Chamber of Commerce. “Our objective is to give U.S. companies access to production capacity that can respond to their specific inventory requirements, while creating meaningful economic opportunities in the communities where manufacturing takes place at low cost.”
An Integrated Manufacturing-to-Market Model
The Chamber’s program is intended to go beyond simply identifying a factory.
Participating production arrangements may incorporate manufacturing, packaging, quality-control procedures, transportation and delivery to the client’s designated location, together with the applicable permits and regulatory requirements for the products being manufactured.
The program is being positioned for supermarkets, franchises, restaurant groups, distribution companies, retailers, department stores and corporate purchasing divisions, as well as other organizations seeking contract or private-label manufacturing.
The Chamber is also exploring opportunities involving U.S. institutional and government-related procurement channels, subject to the applicable federal contracting, regulatory and qualification requirements.
Economic Development Through Manufacturing
According to Mayorga, the initiative also carries a broader economic-development objective.
“We are determined to create productive opportunities for families facing economic hardship, including families affected by deportation, by connecting them with legitimate employment and manufacturing opportunities that provide a pathway toward greater economic stability,” Mr. Mayorga stated.
The Chamber views manufacturing and international trade as mechanisms for strengthening local economies while creating commercial relationships between businesses in the United States and production communities in Central America.
The program is therefore designed around a dual objective: meeting real U.S. market demand while expanding productive employment opportunities in Costa Rica and Honduras.
Building Long-Term Manufacturing Contracts
After 27 years of operations, the United States Minority Chamber of Commerce continues to focus on building commercial bridges between the United States and Latin America.
The Chamber is seeking to develop solid, long-term manufacturing and supply agreements rather than isolated transactions. Its strategy is to connect U.S. buyers with qualified production partners capable of delivering consistent quality, competitive manufacturing and dependable supply.
“The opportunity is not simply to manufacture a product,” Mr. Mayorga added. “It is to create a sustainable supply chain in which the U.S. buyer has access to dependable production, the manufacturer receives long-term commercial opportunities, and families in the region gain access to productive employment.”
The Chamber invites U.S. supermarkets, distributors, restaurant chains, franchises, retailers, manufacturers and purchasing organizations interested in contract manufacturing or private-label production to explore the program and identify suitable production opportunities in Costa Rica and Honduras.
About the United States Minority Chamber of Commerce
For 27 years, the United States Minority Chamber of Commerce has worked to build commercial and investment connections between the United States and Latin America, supporting international trade, business development, investment and market access.
The Chamber’s manufacturing initiative represents another component of its broader effort to build business bridges between the United States and the Americas through trade, investment and productive employment.
For More Information
Rosse Garcia
Public Affairs
The United States Minority Chamber of Commerce
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 786.406.2190
Website: www.minoritychamber.net