The Investment Attraction Roundtable arose from a public-private agreement to articulate combined efforts to foster long-term economic growth and formal employment creation, with an emphasis on two strategies:
By signing a public/private inter-institutional agreement, the signatory institutions undertake to guarantee that sectoral rules and public policies promote the growth of the various export industries.
In Strategy 1, seminars were performed with entrepreneurs from the 20 prioritized industries to evaluate the markets with the highest potential and suggest triggering measures to improve exports.
Market information, market needs and certifications, product image campaigns, exportable supply, trade promotion, eligibility, logistical alternatives and prices, regulatory framework and public policies, and finance choices were recognized as specific tasks for each industry.
In Strategy 2, the Ministry of Economy is spearheading measures to present Guatemala as an investment destination, with the cooperation of National Competitiveness Program (PRONACOM), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Municipality of Guatemala, the USAID CEO project, Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (FUNDESA), The Guatemalan Exporters Association (AGEXPORT), the Chamber of Industry, and the Bank of Guatemala.
Furthermore, the Private Investment Promotion Agency "Invest Guatemala" was established to assist foreign investors in their decision to invest in Guatemala vs another destination, to advise them on how and where to locate, and to expedite their process of establishing in Guatemalan territory. The Agency also tries to assist Guatemalan businesses in identifying chances for expansion, funding, and access to new markets.
High-level gathering attended by 24 corporations interested in investing in the nation. Conferences, seminars, cultural and networking events were organized during the event.
This event brought together around 25 foreign capital businesses from the apparel and textile industries to inform them about the competitive advantages that Guatemala provides for supply chain relocation.
Mara Eugenia Tabush met with foreign investors and explained the Guatemala Moving Forward strategy as well as the benefits of investing in the country.
We attended as a speaker, presenting the Guatemala Moving Forward plan and the advantages that Guatemala provides to foreign enterprises interested in pursuing a nearshoring approach.
The country's success in boosting competitiveness was highlighted, as was the relevance of the Guatemala Moving Forward strategy in achieving the government's projected FDI targets.
During the current year, nine virtual seminars with various nations (Colombia (2), the United States (2), Peru, Taiwan, Canada, Chile, and Israel) were organized to demonstrate the benefits of investing in Guatemala. These have been coordinated in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Commercial Counselors Network.