Essential News

• This is the 4th building from SYKES in the country and will create 900 jobs in the eastern part of the greater metropolitan area.

San Jose, April 21, 2016. The multinational services company SYKES, inaugurated its fourth operation in the country in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, where it plans to generate 900 new jobs in customer service and sales. Sykes serves businesses in the US, Canada and Latin America out of Costa Rica, in English and Portuguese.

SYKES established in Costa Rica in 1999 as one of the pioneering companies in today’s consolidated services sector in the country. Only in 2015, the company invested just over US$25 million which add to the US$5 million invested in this new building. The company currently has 4,400+ people payroll in Costa Rica, serving clients in renowned companies of industries such as telecommunications, financial services and high-tech.

The company estimates that by the end of 2016 it will have hired more than 5,000 associates.

The President, Luis Guillermo Solís expressed his gratification with this announcement and the effort that Costa Rica makes in strengthening its competitiveness to create jobs, thanks to the alliance with the productive and business sectors, which adds to concrete actions like maintaining stable electricity rates, a growing economy with zero inflation last year and stability in the exchange rate.

"Today we celebrate the opening of 900 new jobs for Costa Ricans, many of them university students who could find a job option while they continue their studies. As a Government, we reaffirm the country's commitment to continue improving the competitiveness to generate more quality jobs for the population, "said President Solis Rivera.

Alejandro Arciniegas, general manager of the company in Costa Rica said that "With this new building SYKES not only expands its operations, but takes steps towards innovation of its key processes that ensure not only the growth of the company but the sector's development and competitiveness, as we contribute to the development of human talent to help meet the growing demand of companies in the industry.

"SYKES is identified by its strong social commitment to be the first company to be carbon neutral, and to promote English and technology networks learning through their academies, where were more than 6,000 people have been trained and employed in the last 10 years. It has also signed important agreements with the MEP, INA and UTN to open its doors to students in the specialties of “executive services center” and “computer networks” Arciniegas said.

For the Minister of Foreign Trade, Alexander Mora, the announcement demonstrates the innovative and creative sense in which SYKES addresses their business. "SYKES is a pioneer in its sector. Its strategy to distribute its services centers in various parts of the national territory is innovative and very positive for Costa Rica. It allows to bring job opportunities to the various areas where people live, and enables shorter commuting distances which translates in more leisure time and quality of life. I'm sure its business model and development will continue to surprise and innovate. I congratulate its partners, management teams and employees for their performance and I would like to thank them for the work they do every day to aggrandize Costa Rica".

SYKES provides employment in four strategic geographic areas: La Aurora de Heredia, San Vicente de Moravia, Hatillo Centro and San Pedro de Montes de Oca.

The Managing Director of CINDE, Jorge Sequeira, said "In 2015 exports of high value added services reached US$3,57 billion, according to Banco Central figures. Companies like SYKES have undoubtedly been key for the sector to reach the recognition and strength it has today. The company has constantly evolved in Costa Rica and today the employees who have in our country represent 8% of its total payroll ".

About SYKES

SYKES, a multinational company with more than 35 years of experience, is a contact services provider to leading global companies. Located in Tampa, Florida, it has a global operation, with about 70 centers in 21 countries and more than 50,000 employees. With over 9,000 employees and more than 30 customers, SYKES Latin America operates in Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, El Salvador and Mexico.

SYKES in Costa Rica has over 16 years of presence, offering its associates an ideal working, learning and professional development environment.

For more press info:

Carlos Morales
cmorales@cinde.org