It is a strategic alliance that strengthens key infrastructure for trade, production and regional security, said the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF).
The business organization was pronounced in support of the signing of the acceptance letter for the modernization of Puerto Quetzal since it considers that it is a key project that will strengthen the logistics infrastructure of the country and improve foreign trade.
He presented in a statement that this alliance with the United States, through the body of engineers of the Army of that country, will allow to expand the port capacity, expedite the entry of essential supplies for national production and facilitate the exit of exports.
According to the business leadership, this cooperation mechanism will help guarantee transparency and efficiency in the port, but points out that modernizing the country’s ports is an urgent action to improve competitiveness, attract investment and generate more employment.
Charles Bland, said that they see “with very good eyes and with great enthusiasm” the signing of the agreement since this port passes 60% of the maritime load and is the most important in the country.
He pointed out that it is necessary to pay enough attention to the expansion of the infrastructure and the capacity of the port since the complaints are constant for the waiting time that the ships have to do, costs that are affecting many companies because they have to pay extra charges for waiting for between 20 to 50 days to be able to download.
“It seems to us one of the best news we have had about not only to expand, but also with the United States government and with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, because we will allow us to be certain that it will be a quality work, a well -made work, that the resources will be applied where they should be applied and that it will be a first world port as the one we need to have for the economy to grow.
“It seems to us a bucket of fresh water because we need that infrastructure” and it will be a great change for the country, said the manager, he said.
The organized private sector supports the signature of the Acceptance Charter for the Modernization of Puerto Quetzal, a key project that will strengthen the country’s logistics infrastructure and improve foreign trade.
This alliance with the United States, through the body of … pic.twitter.com/pm0arsfwqv
– Cacif (@cacifguatemala) May 23, 2025
Meanwhile, the Guatemalan American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) described it as a concrete expression of the shared commitment between Guatemala and the United States to build a more prosperous, safe and interconnected region.
He adds that the agreement is for the period of 30 years “it is not only a commitment of the current government: it is a country bet, a vision of the future. Let us remember the words of the Rubio Secretary in his visit” America First, does not mean America Alone. “
Meanwhile, the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT) said that this strategic alliance is celebrated as a decisive to build the dream of being a regional logistics center. He also recognized the importance of modernization of the country’s logistics infrastructure.
The importance, is that Puerto Quetzal is the main port of the country on the Pacific coast, which connects Guatemala with markets in Asia, North America and South America, is responsible for the management of more than 45% of Guatemalan exports and approximately 30% of imports, adds the entity.
Strategic Development Alliance: USA and Guatemala promote the modernization of the Quetzal port pic.twitter.com/ioskn2qsrv
– Amcham Guatemala (@amchamgt) May 23, 2025
The position of the Guatemala Chamber of Industry (CIG) agrees that they recognize the value of the alliance and collaboration of the United States of America, through its Army Corps of Engineers, for the modernization and expansion of the port.
The industrial sector states that the implementation of measures focused on the improvement of current efficiency and the expansion of existing infrastructure will have positive impacts of short and long term and emphasized that “the lag of investment in infrastructure of the country requires multiple efforts: public, private, public-private and international collaboration alliances to develop the strategic infrastructure with the urgency with the urgency that merits to attend the urgency Current and future trade needs and volumes ”.
The Chamber of Agro Guatemala (Camagro) was described by the modernization that will be undertaken as a key step for the competitiveness of agriculture and also expressed its support.
It recognizes the strategic value of this alliance between Guatemala and the United States to strengthen national infrastructure and that the participation of the United States Army Engineers represents a decisive step to expand the country’s logistics capacity, to boost international trade and improve the competitiveness of our agri -food exports.
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This will promote sustainable economic growth, facilitate the access of Guatemalan producers to global markets and expedite the local supply of essential agricultural supplies to guarantee food production in the country, the entity added.
However, he also warned the need to advance in the integral modernization of the port system as part of a development agenda that urgently responds to the current and future demands of foreign trade.
The sectors pronounced that they are prepared to collaborate, share experiences, invest and support this initiative that will facilitate bilateral trade.