urban criterion
Pace could be faster, with infrastructure and specific incentives.
Last week, the most recent figures for foreign direct investment (FDI) 2025 were published, which showed a growth of 8.81% compared to 2024 income. With US$1,881.7 million, Guatemala continues to consolidate itself as an increasingly attractive country for investment.
Let us remember that the only way to generate employment is through more investment. This requires that our country improve its structural conditions to advance an agenda of productive transformation that can be strengthened through greater public and private coordination.
The joint work that the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Private Secretariat of the Presidency, Invest Guatemala, ProGuatemala and some national and binational chambers are doing is important, and must be celebrated and promoted more. However, we know that it is not enough as long as the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing, for example, does not give the necessary boost to the Infrastructure Directorate of Priority Road Projects to attract more FDI in roads. This should be one of the most important approaches of the United States Embassy in Guatemala and other institutions of the so-called G-13, which could transform the way road infrastructure is contracted in the country—with international suppliers—and move from the outdated and corrupt traditional public works method to the structuring of long-term contracts based on service indicators.
More investment better employment opportunities
These are the type of changes that would truly transform and bring foreign direct investment to at least 5% of GDP, like other Latin American countries, instead of having less than 2% FDI; coupled with legal changes such as those presented by initiative 6630 law for the promise of employment, known as the Promesa Law, which in terms of incentives includes exemptions from income tax (ISR), VAT and tariffs for the import of machinery, in addition to non-refundable subsidies. Additionally, in support areas it presents financing opportunities for productive infrastructure, certifications, technology, human talent training and supplier development.
Guatemala needs to make foreign direct investment an engine of social transformation, capable of generating more jobs, development opportunities and profound improvements in the impact of prosperity and development that the country so needs.
We need as a presidential goal to advance in increasing foreign direct investment and take us to the next phase of competing to attract flows like those attracted by Costa Rica, Chile, Panama or the Dominican Republic. This implies reaching at least US$3.5 billion in the next three years, which would definitely have a positive impact on the way the country approaches the issue of investment.
Today, foreign direct investment is growing in strategic sectors related to financial activities (45.4%), vehicle trade and repair (19.05%), manufacturing industries (12.25%) and information and communications (9.9%); but, in terms of construction, foreign direct investment is only 1.6% of the total. We have to be able to improve foreign investment in manufacturing and construction industries, because that will trigger greater employment opportunities in the country. Two key laws are pending approval in Congress: the National Port System Law and the Promesa Law, which can take us to that next stage. Courage, Guatemala Doesn’t Stop.