Guatemalan Digital
Talent Shines
in International
markets
Guatemalan entrepreneurs have found in Innovation and creativity the perfect
combination to achieve important growth in the software development industry in
only five years.
T
o name an example, the president
of the Guatemalan Software
Exports Commission (SOFEX)
Devadit Barahona highlights that in 2016
the country sold more than US$135 million
in products and services of this industry.
This, due to the country’s strategic location,
its human talent and the approval of
important laws to boost these companies.
“There are new projects being started
every day. We are always greatly surprised
that more and more companies decide
to outsource their software production,
giving us the opportunity to better suit
their needs”, said Mr. Barahona.
Software companies have identified
clients in industries like banking, tourism
and sports, and have been able to cover
their needs by offering high-technology
tools.
One of the key elements of the country
for this industry is the people’s neutral
accent to offer customer support to other
countries, especially in English. Being the
United States a strong economic power,
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our closeness to that market has also been
an asset.
“Our natural market is Mexico, is the
country where most of us look into”, states
Mr. Barahona.
For 2017, the industry expects to reach a
9% growth in exports. It also foresees to
create as much as 5 to 6 thousand new jobs
per year, which would be higher-paying
jobs compared to other industries.
One key advantage that the country offers
for these firms is the ‘demographic
bonus’, as Guatemala is a country with an
important youth proportion, which stand
out for their creativity.
Another relevant factor is Guatemala’s
legislation, as it eases the doing business
for software exporting companies and
boost their competitiveness.
Innovation is another topic to display. At
least two times each semester, the country
launches new additional products that
seek to give additional benefits for clients.