{"id":3149,"date":"2024-04-17T07:16:39","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T13:16:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carrillolaw.com\/?p=3149"},"modified":"2024-04-26T11:59:08","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T17:59:08","slug":"el-clima-de-negocios-tras-100-dias-del-nuevo-gobierno","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carrillolaw.com\/en\/2024\/04\/17\/el-clima-de-negocios-tras-100-dias-del-nuevo-gobierno\/","title":{"rendered":"The Business Climate in the First 100 Days"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Guatemalan President Bernardo Ar\u00e9valo took office three months ago, on January 15, 2024. The first 100 days of a new administration are decisive in setting the course of the new government. Today, we analyze what actions President Ar\u00e9valo has taken to improve the country's business environment.<\/p>


International Image<\/strong><\/h5>

After the political crisis of 2023, restoring the country's image is an indispensable step to attract investment. President Ar\u00e9valo made two trips with this objective in mind.<\/p>

The first was a European tour<\/a>. He signed<\/a> a memorandum of understanding with the European Union (EU) that includes a US$53.6 million project and access to the EU Global Gateway<\/a> , which will allow Guatemala to receive investment for infrastructure projects focused on sustainable economic growth, health and education. He also met with French and Spanish businesspeople and signed an agreement<\/a> with Iberia to stimulate the tourism industry.<\/p>

The second trip was to the United States (US). The US government announced<\/a> a contribution of more than US$129 million in cooperation for Guatemala. Representatives of the Guatemalan private sector and multinationals such as Amazon, Walmart and Mastercard, among others, participated<\/a> in the meetings.<\/p>

It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Finance rehabilitated<\/a> the Country Risk Table. This initiative seeks to coordinate efforts with the private sector to improve Guatemala's credit rating to the investment level.<\/p>


Infrastructure<\/strong><\/h5>

One of the biggest challenges the new government is facing is the poor state of roads, ports, airports, and transportation. The Logistics Performance Index, which measures the quality of infrastructure and ease of moving goods and services, ranks<\/a> Guatemala 88th out of 139 countries.<\/p>

The Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing (CIV) initiated a series of audits<\/a> in different units because it considers that there are contracts that are detrimental to the State. Minister Jazm\u00edn de la Vega dismissed<\/a> the Director of Civil Aeronautics, Francis Argueta. Argueta's administration was characterized<\/a> by the poor state of La Aurora International Airport and it is expected that efforts to restore it will be initiated.<\/p>

In addition, President Ar\u00e9valo announced<\/a> the construction of an underground subway in the capital, with the support of the World Bank and a public-private partnership. The first section is expected to be inaugurated in 2027. For the moment, no details have been given on how the bidding will be done.<\/p>

Wanting government plan<\/a> contemplates investment projects for the next four years totaling US$3.5 billion. Among them are:<\/p>