Puerto Rico is one of the fastest growing high-tech industrial
development centers in the world. The Island's direct duty-free
and quota-free access to US markets, free currency exchange,
strong supply of highly skilled labor, worldwide transportation
and communications network, and high capacity infrastructure
provide the ideal environment for industries to flourish.
Of 3.8 million citizens, 1.2 million are in the workforce.
GDP has grown by 54.4% since 1997 and surpassed the
$74.4 billion mark in 2003, with exports increasing
by 130% since 1997, climbing from $23.9 to
$55.2 billion.
Manufacturing is 42.1% of GDP and accounts for 11.4%
of total employment.
Manufacturing has grown by 62.2% since 1997.
Inbound shipments have increased by 58% since 1997, from
$21.3 billion to 33.8 billion.
Pharmaceutical, electronics and medical devices products
manufactured in Puerto Rico are among the leading exports.
55 of the Fortune 100 companies and 178 of the Fortune
500 operate in Puerto Rico.
