The president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, highlighted this Friday the great potential of Spain as a strategic partner for the Central American country, as well as the possibilities of collaboration and business opportunities in key sectors, during a business meeting at CEOE. The event has served to learn first-hand about the current situation in the country, and to present to Spanish companies projects of interest in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, electronic devices, textiles, chemical infrastructure and agri-food, among others.
The objective of the meeting, organized by the Secretary of State for Commerce, through ICEX-Exportation and Investments, the CEOE and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, has been to promote economic and business relations between both countries, and assess ways . of joint collaboration in areas of mutual benefit. The day included the participation of the president of the CEOE, Antonio Garamendi; his counterpart in the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (Cacif), Ignacio Lejárraga; and the vice president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Ángel Asensio. In addition, the Minister of Economy of Guatemala, Gabriela García and the Secretary of State for Commerce, Xiana Méndez, have intervened.
The Guatemalan president told more than 150 business representatives that “we must seek development in Guatemala, where productivity and employment are the key.” Along these lines, he has opted to carry out reforms in the country, in which Spanish companies will have numerous possibilities for cooperation.
Guatemala’s membership in the Central American Integration System (SICA) has interests in the region, taking into account that it offers proximity and preferential access to key global markets. This was highlighted by Garamendi, who also pointed out Guatemala’s leadership in the Central American economic integration process, which has resulted in the establishment of a customs union between Guatemala and Honduras, to which El Salvador is in the process of joining. “From the Spanish business sector we firmly believe in the great potential that Guatemala has for our companies, backed by a wide range of incentives that facilitate access to this market,” he stressed.
The vice president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce has emphasized the willingness of the Spanish chambers as a committed partner to continue moving forward together, within the framework of shared values and interests and the commercial and partnership commitment (Global Gateway) that the EU is developing. folding in Central America and in which Spain plays “a very relevant role.” Guatemala’s exportable supply complements the demand of Spanish producers in sectors such as the agri-food industry, fresh products, textiles or the pharmaceutical sector, with the Central American country being a gateway to a market related to this last sector worth 6,500 million dollars. . (almost 6,000 euros).
