National Free Zones Commission Promoting Investment Opportunities for Economic Development and Job Creation

National Free Zones Commission Public entity that regulates the Free Zone Regime with the objective to promote and facilitate domestic and foreign investment. Services: One Stop Shop for Free Zones Services: Procedures facilitation for Free Zone Companies with Government Entities. (Customs, Revenue Agency, Ministry of Labor, Immigration). Personalized attention to potential investors. Legal and Labor advisory. After Care Services.

Categories of Companies under the Free Zone Regime Industrial Parks 10,000 square meters of industrial space minimum User Companies Producers of Goods and Service Providers Source: Free Zone Law

Overview of the Free Zone Regime Description Ist trim. - 2016 Industrial Parks 50 User Companies 207 Direct Jobs 110,935 Indirect Jobs 332,805 Total Jobs (Direct and Indirect) 443,740 Benefited Population 2,218,700 Industrial Space 1,901,794.84 m2 Exports US$ 661.47 millions Added Value US$ 195.79 millions Source: CNZF – May 2016

User Companies by Sector Textile - Apparel 81 Tobacco 33 Agroindustry 27 Outsourcing Services 25 Automotive Wire Harnesses 5 Others 36 Total 207 Others: Rental of industrial equipment and Sales of Accessories, Medical Supplies, Manufacturers, Jewelry, Plastic Bags, Fiberglass, Footwear, Cardboard Boxes, Mufflers,Fishing Equipment etc. Source: CNZF – June 2016

Free Zone Companies By Country of Origin Total: 207 companies Others: Japan, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, France, Guatemala, Hong Kong, England, Israel-Holland, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago. Source: CNZF – May 2016

Taiwanese Companies Job Creation: 6, 461 employees Alpha Textil Formosa Roo Hsing China United Union Plastics Job Creation: 6, 461 employees Total Investments: 59.1 millions Total Exports 2015: 103.28 millions Source: CNZF – June 2016

Job Creation Free Zone Regime Thousands Source: CNZF – June 2016

Employment by Sector Source: CNZF – June 2016 Industrial Sector Total Textile - Apparel 64,955 Automotive Wire Harnesses 16,185 Tobacco 12,848 Outsourcing Services 6,417 Agroindustry 6,400 Others 4,130 110,935 Source: CNZF – June 2016

Exports and Added Value US$ Millions Source: CNZF – May 2016

Textile and Apparel Exports of CAFTA DR Countries to the US Accumulated to December 2015 Country SME Growth% US$ CAFTA 3156.20 1.97 8,424.49 2.32 Guatemala 374.40 3.42 1,441.77 6.49 El Salvador 829.02 3.38 1,977.41 2.53 Honduras 1,142.06 1.79 2,686.97 3.43 Nicaragua 488.10 0.89 1,472.07 -2.84 Costa Rica 17.52 -59.46 41.36 -51.43 Dominican Republic 305.08 7.98 804.89 6. 88 *Data in millions Source: OTEXA – February 2016

Textile and Apparel Exports from CAFTA DR Countries to the US – Accumulated to APRIL 2016 Country SME Growth% US$ CAFTA 981.26 2.37 2,510.10 -0.33 Guatemala 130.81 5.33 454.32 2.67 El Salvador 264.51 9.86 618.35 5.14 Honduras 323.61 -6.56 741.62 -7.07 Nicaragua 162.66 8.17 454.79 2.46 Costa Rica 7.13 -10.90 11.60 -21.74 Dominican Republic 92.51 4.12 229.40 -.073 *Data in millions Source: OTEXA – June 2016

Fiscal Incentives 100% income tax exemption. 100% municipal tax exemption. 100% tax exemption on raw materials, machinery, equipment, supplies, materials and spare parts. 100% exemption of indirect and sales taxes. 100% tax exemption on property and capital gains. 100% Tax exemption on corporate formation, transformation, merger and amendments. Source: Free Zones Law

Investment Opportunities Free Zone Regime Light Manufacturing Automotive Wire Harnesses Other Auto Parts Medical Devices Footwear Assemblies Jewelry Others Textile-Apparel Textiles Knit and Woven Garments Intimate Sportswear Laundry and Water Treatment Plants Agroindustry Cigars African Palm Hydroponics Food Processing Wood and Furniture Outsourcing Services Call Centers Data Processing and Digitization of Texts Administrative Processes Software Development Others Industrial Park Development Industrial Space for rent Logistic Services Logistic Centers Raw Material Supply Support in Free Zone Operations

Products – Free Zones

International Firms Doing Business in Nicaragua

International Firms Doing Business in Nicaragua

National Free Zones Commission Investment Promotion Office Tel. (505)-2263-1530 ext. 124 / 171 (505)-2233-2444 mabarca@cnzf.gob.ni www.cnzf.gob.ni