BANGKOK, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As global supply chains shift toward digital and green innovations, ASEAN has emerged as a dynamic manufacturing powerhouse. Leading this growth is Thailand, a vital hub for automotive and electronics, which is accelerating its transition to smart manufacturing under its "Thailand 4.0" strategy and the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model.
The Intelligent Manufacturing Expo Southeast Asia (IME 2026) will take place from July 22-24, 2026, at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok. Jointly organized by the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, DEXPO Shanghai Industry & Commerce Exhibition Co., Ltd., and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., IME 2026 is the first overseas exhibition independently organized by the organizers of the China International Industry Fair (CIIF).
Covering 5,000 square meters, the event will bring together nearly 150 leading companies from China and other markets to showcase industrial automation, intelligent control, AI, robotics, system integration, smart production lines, CNC machine tools, advanced manufacturing equipment, and industrial digitalization solutions. Chinese manufacturers increasingly view Thailand as a gateway to the regional market, while Thai companies are seeking automation, industrial internet, artificial intelligence and green manufacturing solutions to raise productivity, energy efficiency and competitiveness. Additionally, 10 specialized events — featuring forums and business-matching — will seamlessly connect Chinese and Thai enterprises to align technologies with market needs and unlock commercial opportunities.
The exhibition will highlight manufacturing solutions already implemented and validated in Thailand and other Asian markets. Han's Laser has delivered Thailand's first 40 kW bevel laser-cutting system in Chonburi, helping a local manufacturer improve processing efficiency and reduce overall production costs. DENAIR's oil-free air compressor solution has been deployed by a pharmaceutical company in Bangkok, helping the customer achieve energy savings of approximately 20%. HSG Laser's equipment has also been adopted on a larger scale by THACO in Vietnam, where 17 machines have been put into operation.
Leading exhibitors will also introduce advanced products to the Southeast Asian market. Bodor Laser will showcase its A Series sheet laser-cutting machines, with power options ranging from 1.5 kW to 60 kW to meet requirements from precision processing to thick-plate cutting. HSG Laser will present its R2 general-purpose laser tube-cutting machine, featuring a professional chuck and an automatic follow-up support system for efficient tube processing. Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Limited will display the MD630 Series general-purpose AC drive, designed to support intelligent control and the digital upgrading of equipment and production lines.
To turn technology displays into business opportunities, IME 2026 is combining promotion through Facebook, Google and LINE with targeted outreach using Southeast Asian manufacturing databases. Promotion teams have also visited major industrial areas, including WHA industrial estates, Rojana Industrial Park and the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone.
IME 2026 has received strong support from industrial organizations and partners in Thailand and China. Supporting organizations include: The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Thai IoT Association (TIoTA), National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Thai-German Institute (TGI), Thai Automation and Robotics Association (TARA), Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI), Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone (TCRIZ), Shanghai International Cooperation Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SIAB), New Energy Nexus China, China-Thailand Convention and Exhibition Industry Trade Association, National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), Sustainable Manufacturing Center (SMC), Thai Machinery Association (TMA), Technology Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan) (TPA), Nava Nakorn Public Company Limited (NNCL), and Cyber Innovation Promotion Association of Technology (CIPAT).
By bringing together advanced technologies, proven applications, professional buyers and regional industrial resources, IME 2026 aims to connect Chinese manufacturing capabilities with Thailand's industrial transformation and the wider growth opportunities of ASEAN.
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Powering ASEAN's Manufacturing Transformation: IME 2026 Connects Technology, Industry and Opportunity
- PROCOMER carried out an investment promotion mission in both Asian markets to position Costa Rica as a strategic platform for regional operations.
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its strategy to diversify the sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing into the country, the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) conducted an investment promotion mission to South Korea and Japan aimed at strengthening relationships with companies already operating in Costa Rica while positioning the country as a strategic platform for regional business expansion.
The mission included meetings with multinational companies, investors, and business organizations, as well as the Costa Rica Investment Day Seoul 2026 and Costa Rica Investment Day Tokyo 2026 events, which brought together more than 75 business and institutional representatives from both markets. The visit took place at a time when Asian companies are accelerating the diversification of their supply chains and evaluating new locations to strengthen their international operations. Against this backdrop, Costa Rica continues to reinforce its positioning as a competitive investment destination, supported by key advantages including a highly skilled and growing talent pool, political and economic stability, sustainability, legal certainty, and preferential access to major international markets.
"Asia represents a strategic opportunity to diversify the origins of foreign direct investment in Costa Rica. South Korea and Japan are home to globally recognized companies in manufacturing, technology, logistics, and business services, all of which maintain significant international investment capacity. Strengthening our presence in these markets enables us to broaden our pipeline of potential investors, create new opportunities for the country, and continue positioning Costa Rica as a trusted partner for high value-added investment projects across the region," said Mónica Umaña, FDI Attraction Manager at the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER).
The mission—joined by Costa Rica's Ambassador to South Korea, Jorge Valerio, and Costa Rica's Ambassador to Japan, Sussi Jiménez—provided an opportunity for PROCOMER to present Costa Rica's value proposition to South Korean and Japanese companies evaluating expansion opportunities across the Americas. The agency also promoted investment opportunities in sectors including light and advanced manufacturing, packaging, construction materials, plastics, chemicals, logistics, distribution, international trade, retail, digital technologies, corporate services, agribusiness, and medical devices. In addition, meetings were held with companies already established in Costa Rica to explore new opportunities for growth and expansion.
Beyond showcasing Costa Rica's competitive advantages, PROCOMER met with prospective investors and the headquarters of companies already operating in the country to gain insights into their expansion plans, strengthen long-term relationships, identify emerging investment trends, gather market intelligence, and establish new strategic contacts to support Costa Rica's FDI attraction strategy. South Korean company SAE and Japanese medical technology company Terumo, both of which have operations in Costa Rica, also shared their experiences investing in the country with other potential investors.
Fourteen companies from South Korea and Japan currently operate in Costa Rica, reflecting the diversity and sophistication of Asian investment in the country. Among the success stories is SAE, which operates three highly automated cotton yarn manufacturing facilities. Hitachi has established a corporate and technology services operation in Costa Rica that provides regional and global support in areas including information technology, business process services, and shared business services, reinforcing the country's position as a leading knowledge-intensive services hub. Meanwhile, Terumo operates a high-tech medical device manufacturing facility producing equipment for cardiovascular procedures as well as blood and cell technologies. The company has recently expanded its Costa Rican operation by adding engineering and research and development (R&D) capabilities, further strengthening the country's role as a strategic hub for the global medical device industry.
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its strategy to diversify the sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing into the country, the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) conducted an investment promotion mission to South Korea and Japan aimed at strengthening relationships with companies already operating in Costa Rica while positioning the country as a strategic platform for regional business expansion.
The mission included meetings with multinational companies, investors, and business organizations, as well as the Costa Rica Investment Day Seoul 2026 and Costa Rica Investment Day Tokyo 2026 events, which brought together more than 75 business and institutional representatives from both markets. The visit took place at a time when Asian companies are accelerating the diversification of their supply chains and evaluating new locations to strengthen their international operations. Against this backdrop, Costa Rica continues to reinforce its positioning as a competitive investment destination, supported by key advantages including a highly skilled and growing talent pool, political and economic stability, sustainability, legal certainty, and preferential access to major international markets.
"Asia represents a strategic opportunity to diversify the origins of foreign direct investment in Costa Rica. South Korea and Japan are home to globally recognized companies in manufacturing, technology, logistics, and business services, all of which maintain significant international investment capacity. Strengthening our presence in these markets enables us to broaden our pipeline of potential investors, create new opportunities for the country, and continue positioning Costa Rica as a trusted partner for high value-added investment projects across the region," said Mónica Umaña, FDI Attraction Manager at the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER).
The mission—joined by Costa Rica's Ambassador to South Korea, Jorge Valerio, and Costa Rica's Ambassador to Japan, Sussi Jiménez—provided an opportunity for PROCOMER to present Costa Rica's value proposition to South Korean and Japanese companies evaluating expansion opportunities across the Americas. The agency also promoted investment opportunities in sectors including light and advanced manufacturing, packaging, construction materials, plastics, chemicals, logistics, distribution, international trade, retail, digital technologies, corporate services, agribusiness, and medical devices. In addition, meetings were held with companies already established in Costa Rica to explore new opportunities for growth and expansion.
Beyond showcasing Costa Rica's competitive advantages, PROCOMER met with prospective investors and the headquarters of companies already operating in the country to gain insights into their expansion plans, strengthen long-term relationships, identify emerging investment trends, gather market intelligence, and establish new strategic contacts to support Costa Rica's FDI attraction strategy. South Korean company SAE and Japanese medical technology company Terumo, both of which have operations in Costa Rica, also shared their experiences investing in the country with other potential investors.
Fourteen companies from South Korea and Japan currently operate in Costa Rica, reflecting the diversity and sophistication of Asian investment in the country. Among the success stories is SAE, which operates three highly automated cotton yarn manufacturing facilities. Hitachi has established a corporate and technology services operation in Costa Rica that provides regional and global support in areas including information technology, business process services, and shared business services, reinforcing the country's position as a leading knowledge-intensive services hub. Meanwhile, Terumo operates a high-tech medical device manufacturing facility producing equipment for cardiovascular procedures as well as blood and cell technologies. The company has recently expanded its Costa Rican operation by adding engineering and research and development (R&D) capabilities, further strengthening the country's role as a strategic hub for the global medical device industry.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Costa Rica Strengthens Engagement with South Korean and Japanese Companies to Attract New Investment
