ARTICLES

Guatemala, corazón del mundo maya, frondoso paraíso de Centroamérica envuelto en selvas tropicales, imponentes volcanes que cautiva a sus visitantes con su rica historia, impresionantes paisajes naturales y la hospitalidad de su gente. Guatemala es la economía más grande y estable de la región, con un estimado de 17,6 millones de habitantes  mantiene un crecimiento económico constante superior al de América Latina y el Caribe respaldado por una prudente gestión fiscal y monet

1. Dr. Jean Paul Suger, what is your opinion regarding the educational sector in Guatemala, and what do you believe should be done to further enhance it in the coming years? Well, thank you very much for the interview. One of the most important things we can emphasize regarding higher education is that it allows us to be more competitive. At Universidad Galileo , we have always focused on technology and science. We have realized that the greatest developments currently occurr

¿Cuál es su opinión, Sr. Arenas, respecto a la economía de Guatemala, y qué considera que se debe hacer para potenciarlo aún más en los próximos años?   La economía de Guatemala es un caso muy extraño, de manera positiva.  Su macroeconomía es extraordinaria, y su crecimiento es bueno, pero insuficiente.   Las remesas son, en mi opinión, el “petróleo guatemalteco”. Son ingresos democráticos, que llegan directamente a los hogares sin pasar por políticos o burócratas, y se convi

TOPIC 1: TEXTILES What is your opinion regarding the textile industry in Guatemala, and what do you think should be done to further develop it in the coming years ? E1: Guatemala is a privileged country because the textile industry is modular; companies offer services to individually industrialize products by process, so all companies can collaborate within themselves and offer the customer a wide range of products.   NEXTIL's project in Guatemala aims to project an image of

TOPIC 1: INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE 1. What is your opinion, Mr. Minister, regarding these sectors of the country, and what is your plan and strategy for further developing them in the coming years? First, we must understand that we need to maintain the macroeconomic variables that have brought us to where we are today. Paraguay is, first and foremost, a very competitive country in terms of taxes, and this will continue because the President of the Republic envisions that the coun

What is your opinion, Mr. Rodrigo Cofiño, regarding the food and beverage sector in Guatemala, and what do you think should be done to further strengthen it in the coming years? I am very optimistic about what I see in the food and fast-food sector in Guatemala. We are all growing, and that reflects the opportunities that exist both inside and outside the capital. The country is experiencing very interesting urbanization, which opens up possibilities for expansion and develop

TOPIC 1: FINANCIAL 1. What is your opinion, Mr. Vázquez, regarding the financial and banking sector in Paraguay, and what do you think should be done to further develop it in the coming years ?   E: The financial sector in Paraguay is highly developed in several areas, but there is still a lack of banking services, greater infrastructure, and easier access for people with fewer resources to banking. This can be achieved by creating new, more digital and less expensive chann

TOPIC 1: FINTECH 1. What is your opinion, Mr. Astigarraga, regarding the fintech sector in Paraguay, and what do you think should be done to further develop it in the coming years ?   E: I can speak from two hats, as I often say. One is the one I'm wearing today here at the ITTI office, which is the most important technology company in the country. I also speak as the Vice President of the Chamber. The 2023 report indicated that we were 30 companies, and 2024 ended with 120

TOPIC 1: FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY 1. What is your opinion regarding the footwear industry in Guatemala and what do you think should be done to further develop it in the coming years ? In Guatemala, footwear manufacturing represents an important source of employment, generating approximately 35,000 jobs annually, and a significant source of income in the national economy, registering growth rates of around 6 percent. E: There's a clear export opportunity. The Central American marke

INFRASTRUCTURE AND REAL ESTATE 1. What is your opinion, Mr. Leal, regarding the infrastructure and real estate sector in Guatemala, and what do you think should be done to further develop it in the coming years? E: From Cayalá, we've seen the need for better urban planning in Guatemala City. There are many developers building residential, commercial, and office buildings in different areas of the capital. However, we need better planning regarding plazas, social areas for the

What is your opinion, Mr. Arzú, regarding the multidisciplinary business sector in Guatemala, and what do you think should be done to further strengthen it in the coming years?   The business sector in Guatemala is robust and professional across all its areas: industrial, agricultural, and construction. Guatemala has significant growth potential. With strategic investments in infrastructure and connectivity, we could accelerate national development and fully leverage the coun

What is your opinion, Mr. Hernández, regarding the financial sector in Guatemala, and what do you think should be done to further develop it in the coming years?   The Guatemalan financial system is stable, sound, and solvent. Technology is a tool we must leverage to optimize processes, improve products and the customer experience, reduce costs, and accelerate financial inclusion, especially for the 70% of the employed population working in the informal sector. In this way, w

1. What is your opinion, Mr. Luis Lara, regarding the financial sector in Guatemala, and what do you think should be done to further strengthen it in the coming years? Thank you very much, it's an honor. I believe a very relevant point is the country's economic stability because, ultimately, the financial system depends on the economy. Guatemala is a country with a debt level of 27% of GDP, very low, a fiscal deficit that usually hovers around 2%, an exchange rate that, despi