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Fact: 50% of all pacemakers and difribrillators sold in the U.S. MAINLAND are manufactured in Puerto Rico.

		“50% of all pacemakers and defibrillators sold in the U.S. MAINLAND are manufactured in Puerto Rico”
		Overview
	Companies engaged in the manufacture of medical/scientific/scientific devices have a sizable presence in Puerto Rico, making the Island one of the largest high-tech manufacturing centers in the U.S. MAINLAND Companies making recent investments production facilities in this sector include Baxter, Medtronic, Stryker and Becton Dickinson. In September 2004 alone, St. Jude, Becton Dickinson, U.S. Surgical and Johnson & Johnson announced expansions that will create almost 1,000 additional jobs. European medical/scientific device companies operating in Puerto Rico include B. Braun (Germany), Unilever (UK) and Roche (Switzerland). Puerto Rico shipped over $2 billion of medical/scientific/scientific devices in 2003, placing it 8^th in the world in the total shipments. Puerto Rico’s bilingual and available workforce is well prepared to meet the needs of medical/scientific device companies operating on the Island as well as those considering an expansion or relocation. Almost 40 years of manufacturing experience in the life sciences sector has given rise to an elite group of highly educated, innovative and dedicated management teams with extensive regulatory experience. A recent study has shown that productivity rates per dollar in Puerto Rico are significantly higher than the U.S. mainland average. Puerto Rico has a loyal, productive workforce, trailing only Japan in the fewest number of days lost to labor disputes per manufacturing employee, and wage rates are typically 20% to 30% lower than those on the mainland for the same position. A variety of wage and training grants are available as are both U.S. federal and local training programs. Puerto Rico also offers medical/scientific /scientific device manufacturers a full range of suppliers and services, including the availability of contract manufacturers.
	Puerto Rico is the lowest cost gateway to the most lucrative life sciences market in the world. Here you can enjoy the benefits of operating within a U.S. jurisdiction, with the added tax benefits of operating under a foreign tax structure. Puerto Rico’s value proposition offers an unparalleled combination of both financial and operational advantages that include: no U.S. federal income tax a local corporate income tax rate of 7% - 2% U.S. dollar and banking system U.S. legal system including intellectual property protection U.S. customs area and easy access to U.S. mainland markets Learn more
	Medical/scientific/scientific device manufacturing companies also find a ready supply of educated workers at all skill levels. Puerto Rico universities graduate some 23,000 bilingual students each year, 9,000 with degrees in science, engineering and technology. That places the Island 9^th in the U.S. in terms of engineering degrees awarded. Well-recognized Ph.D. programs provide researchers.
	The Island has spent billions of dollars to insure a world-class infrastructure that includes 100% digital switching telecommunications network 4,600km of fiber optic cable creating 12 self-healing rings 92 satellites connect Puerto Rico with the world 7^th busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere, in San Juan 40 shipping lines provide service to 80 domestic (U.S.) and foreign ports International and regional airports with some 4,300 cargo flights per month a system of highways and superhighways insure that no location is more than 2 hours from an airport or seaport 5,359mw of diversified electrical generating capacity Learn more
	PRIDCO (Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company) is the agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico tasked with assisting companies to set up operations on the Island. In addition to “fast tracking” permits and other documents necessary to operate, PRIDCO is the largest owner of industrial real estate on the Island, with some 25 million square feet, of which 1.5 million is available for rental. And PRIDCO’s assistance doesn’t end with the commencement of the new facility. A PRIDCO representative is assigned to visit each facility on a regular basis to insure that any minor problems are quickly resolved. Puerto Rico offers the tax advantages of being offshore with the safety and quality of life of staying home. For more information or to schedule a meeting with a PRIDCO Special Projects Manager you can either e-mail us at info@pridco.com or call toll free at 1-888-5-PRIDCO (774-3226).