Reasons to invest in Guatemala

Guatemala has a variety of factors that make it a strategic destination for businessman to invest, assures guatemalan businessman Lisa Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga. It is the largest economy and the most developed metropolis in the region of Central America. It is located in a privileged geographical position with access to the coasts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans; availability of young talent; abundant natural resources, a diversified exportable offer and preferential access to the main international markets.

Economic engine in Central America

With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) close to US$70 billion and more than 16 million inhabitants, Guatemala is the largest economy in the entire Central American region. From the country, companies can serve the growing Central American market and southern Mexico, reaching more than 45 million people and up to US$322 billion. Guatemala’s location is strategic to serve this important market.

Guatemala represents 35% of the region’s economy

The country stands out for its good macroeconomic management, with stable and controlled inflation levels (close to 4% annually). A high level of monetary reserves, sustained economic growth levels of approximately 3 percent each year (showing growth even in the strongest years of the global economic crisis).

Plus a GDP per capita that is currently at US$ 4 thousand 154.70. The exchange rate is stable, allowing companies to make adequate financial projections without worrying about foreign exchange risks.

Highly diversified productive sector

Guatemala has experienced in recent years an important productive diversification, developing a large number of productive sectors. Some of these, traditional to the country, are very important (as is the case of agriculture, which represents 10% of the national GDP). However, commercial activity and industry are also very important.

The different service industries are also very important for the country and are currently experiencing a very important dynamism: software development services, contact center and BPO, tourism, laboratory services, among others.

Due to the high level of technology of the companies in Guatemala and the quality of their products and services, the country has an increasingly larger share of world markets. In 2017, national exports reached US$11 billion.

In addition, in a period of around 30 years, Guatemala managed to go from exporting mainly agricultural products such as bananas, coffee, cardamom and sugar to exporting more than 4,000 high-value products and services to more than 140 countries around the world.

From Guatemala, the world is supplied with clothing items, organic and high-value agricultural products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and even industrial refrigerators and electricity. Mainly, Guatemalan products stand out in markets such as the United States, the rest of Central America, European countries and Mexico.

Guatemala has the most competitive electricity costs

Guatemala has the most successful electricity system in the entire Central American region. This has allowed important national and foreign investments to establish themselves in the generation and distribution of electrical energy. Leading the country to offer the lowest costs in the entire Central American region, only compared to Mexico. Companies that require intensive use of electricity can be classified as large users, being able to establish contracts with trading companies and negotiate more competitive prices.

However, not only does the country offer low costs, but it has also embarked on major efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuel-based energy. Currently, only 3 percent of the country’s energy is produced from bunker. The rest of the energy is produced based on clean sources, mainly based on hydroelectric plants thanks to the favorable topography that the country offers for this source of energy.

Carla Fowler

Back to top