Business Opportunities in Guatemala

Guatemala is the northernmost country in Central America with Mexico to the north and west, Belize and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Famed for its volcanoes, textiles, Mayan ruins, and temperate climate in the highlands, Guatemala is at the center of a large regional market for U. S. goods and services. The United States is Guatemala?s main trading partner. Guatemalan GDP reached an estimated USD 46.8 billion in 2011 and exports from the United States to Guatemala were estimated at USD 6.2 billion, up about 39 percent from 2010. Export growth is expected to continue in 2012 and beyond. U. S. products and services enjoy strong name recognition in Guatemala, and U. S. firms have a good reputation in the Guatemalan marketplace. It is estimated that approximately 150 U. S. firms have a presence in the market. As a result, more than one third of all Guatemalan imports come from the United States. Guatemala can also be an attractive place for foreign investment, despite some persistent challenges. With a population of around 14 million, it is the largest country in Central America and accounts for more than one-third of the region?s GDP. The capital, Guatemala City, has a population of almost 3 million and features first-class hotels and restaurants. La Aurora International Airport, which serves Guatemala City, is located just minutes from the major business and financial areas.