Why invest in Guatemala?
In the last decade, Guatemala has made important efforts so multinational businesses can have all the facilities to establish
themselves in the country. Therefore, the investments have increased in that period 58.5%, reaching USD1.180 million
in 2016. Some of them share their experiences.
“We firmly believe that, in a
country like Guatemala, through
our business model we can
contribute towards the growth
of entrepreneurial projects,
which with an adequate guidance
can transcend in the market.”
Ana Chan
Corporate Affairs Manager of Walmart
Mexico and Central America.
Miguel Schumann, commercial director of
Central America for the LALA Group, one
of the main Mexican businesses in the food
industry, declares that the most productive
social and economic relationships, those
that last over time and generate shared
benefits, are based on trust.
The executive declares that in 2008 they
made their first purchase outside of Mexico
and they decided to do it in Guatemala.
Currently, LALA is building a new plant near
Guatemala City to process milk, ice-cream
and other products with an investment of
more than US$30 million, where they project
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Guatemala represents the opportunity for
creating new possibilities for employment
and
serving
more
clients
and
communities, with quality products and
good service, refers Ana Chan, Corporate
Affairs Manager of Walmart Mexico and
Central America.
She explains that in the last five years
(2011-2016), Walmart in Guatemala has
been one of the major and most constant
sources of foreign direct investment, with
over US$261 million accrued. “Every store
that we open means new opportunities for
direct and indirect employment, which
contributes towards a better quality of life
for families in the country”, she states.
generating 3,500 jobs and which will begin
operating at the beginning of 2018.
“We have to expand the opportunities for
growth; we want to be a part of the
cooperation and trust to strengthen
mutual prosperity. That is why we invite
and incent the local and international
business community to trust and invest in
Guatemala”, expresses Schumann.
For the LALA manager, the country is
making efforts to improve the conditions for
Guatemalans in general and fight to respond
to the needs of their people.
The manager highlights that the company
is committed to the development and
growth of the country and through the
business model fosters strengthening
the local economic activity. As part of
the private sector, the actions taken are
also directed toward generating new and
better employment opportunities and
to promote and support Guatemalan
producers.
She adds that Guatemala promotes
political action to improve the conditions
for investment, maintaining growth and
making it more appealing, so that more
multinational businesses believe and
invest in the country.
“For LALA Group, Guatemala is
an incredibly important market
in the region. We see the efforts
of public and private entities with
optimism, offering competitive
conditions to attract investment.
That is why we contribute to the
development and nutrition of
this country.”
Miguel Schumann
Commercial Manager for LALA
Group Central America.