Economy
The exporters are “with the rope around the neck” for a surcharge imposed by shipping companies, according to a manager of that sector of the Guatemalan economy.
Reference image. Exporters in Guatemala point out that tariffs in the US and shipping companies complicate their operations. (Free Press Photo: Shuttersock)
He Guatemala export sector He said his concern on Thursday since he is “Seriously threatened“For the tariffs imposed by USA and a new surcharge imposed by some shipping companies.
In a press conference, the director of the Board of Directors of the Guatemala exporters associationAlejandro Toledo, indicated that they meet the “HEA TO THE COLAN“After a surcharge of US $ 200 By container imposed by some shipping companies in it Puerto de Santo Tomás de Castillalocated on the Guatemalan coast to the Atlantic Ocean.
According to Toledo, the new surcharge was installed by shipping companies “arguing that there is congestion in the port”
That is why in exporters’ opinion, they face “a new bang In the middle of an environment more and more adverse”
The new surcharge “could translate into a economic impact of more than US $ 6.5 million For the country in the second semester of the year”
The Guatemala exporters association stressed in the same way as its sector “is being seriously threatened“By adding” a series of obstacles to competitiveness in last six months”
Among them is a “deteriorated road infrastructure“, in addition to the increase to the minimum salary of 10% ordered by the Bernardo Arévalo de León governmentthe “appreciation of Quetzal in a 3% recently“And the tariffs imposed by USA last April.
Precisely last May, a delegation of the Guatemalan government And from the business sector he traveled to USA To try to negotiate these tariffs. However, so far They have not been revoked.
In 2024, the Central American country exported products and services for a total of US $ 14,588 million 3% more than in 2023, based on official data.