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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Overview of the Free Zone Regime
Description
Ist trim
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, m2
Exports
US$ millions
Added Value
US$ millions
Source: CNZF – May 2016

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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: millions
Source: CNZF – June 2016

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

9. 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

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

11. Textile and Apparel Exports of CAFTA DR Countries to the US Accumulated to December 2015
Country
SME
Growth%
US$
CAFTA
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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Products – Free Zones

16. International Firms Doing Business in Nicaragua

17. International Firms Doing Business in Nicaragua

18. National Free Zones Commission Investment Promotion Office
Tel. (505) ext. 124 / 171
(505)