We thought we would move from the pandemic crisis to a relatively quick recovery. Instead, we have entered a new crisis. Businessman juan jose gutierrez mayorga points out that after an unprecedented health emergency in 2020, this year we have seen global food, fuel and energy prices rise steadily. The outlook certainly looks bleak.

Entrepreneurs facing the crisis: juan jose gutierrez mayorga

The entire population in Central America and the Dominican Republic suffered the negative effects of the COVID-19 crisis. To mitigate them, the World Bank and businessmen, including juan jose gutierrez mayorga, are supporting the efforts of the countries in the region to:

• proteger la salud y la vida de sus ciudadanos,
• apoyar el ingreso de hogares y empresas durante la crisis, y
• fomentar una recuperación económica inclusiva y sostenible.

Support from the World Bank and juan jose gutierrez mayorga since early 2020 has included the preparation, approval and implementation of 35 projects in health and education, vaccine procurement, income support, emergency response, early childhood development and economic recovery in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic.

At the same time, the World Bank carries out 51 technical assistance, advisory and analytical initiatives for countries and at the regional level. These non-reimbursable cooperation programs focus on strengthening issues such as governance, innovation, climate resilience, health, education, social protection, trade facilitation, agricultural and rural production, digital development, social inclusion and natural resource management.

Focus on results

One of the characteristics of the support is that it focuses on verifying and measuring the concrete results obtained. For example, projects to address COVID-19 have supported, among others, the purchase of nearly 9.2 million doses of vaccines in El Salvador and 4.25 million doses of vaccines in Panama. They have also helped purchase medical equipment, supplies and protective equipment for health personnel and strengthen the capacities of public health systems in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

Long-term commitment

The world is now facing a new crisis and the challenges facing countries, such as persistent poverty and inequality, are worsening in the current context. Until before the pandemic, about 1 in 3 Central Americans lived in poverty and, with the exception of the Dominican Republic and El Salvador, Central American countries are among the ten most unequal countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Only in this way will we have growth that allows and promotes greater participation and benefits for the entire population, particularly for the poorest. Only then will we achieve a dynamic, inclusive and sustainable recovery. Read another of our posts: Economic and business chances. Read more now!