Both governments are considering building a 2000 MW dam on the Usumacinta river border, in northwestern Guatemala.
The authorities of the Guatemalan and Mexican governments are considering the possibility of building a dam on the border river, with investment being shared between the two countries, along with the energy produced.
The president of Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina told Eleconomista.net that "...
The aim of the Guatemalan government is to increase investments made by Colombian companies in sectors such as energy, food, plastics and textile businesses.
"... The Colombian investment is one of the most important ..." for Guatemalans because not only do they have a presence in the mining sector, but also in other sectors which are important for economic development.
At the First Meeting of the Working Group on Gas Interconnection between Mexico and Guatemala it was agreed to boost the studies that will support an eventual pipeline in the Southeast region of Mexico and its extension to Central America.
Although as early as May of this year the government of Guatemala announced the signing of an agreement containing the project details, it is only now that Mexico has officially announced agreements to provide "specific working groups for further analysis on the issues of quantification of current and future demand in Guatemala and in the regional market as well as on the regulatory, financial and commercial, budgetary, and natural gasnaspects."
On September 25th - 28th Chinese companies will be showcasing their products in Guatemala City and taking part in business meetings with local companies.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy of Guatemala:
INVESTORS AND BUSINESS OFFICES OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA VISIT GUATEMALA
The Deputy Minister of Investment and Competition of the Ministry of Economy, Claudia Del Aguila, accompanied the Director of Exhibitions of the Chinese Council for the Promotion of International Trade -CCPIT-, Xu Yanbo, in presenting the Fourth China Exhibition 2014 to be held from 25 to 28 September in the Parque de la Industria.
The government has announced preparations for the purchase of food abroad to minimize the impact that drought has had on grain crops and their prices in the local market.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) has announced that reserves established by the authorities will be sufficient to meet demand in September, but in October imports will be necessary.
The Guatemalan government has formally introduced a comprehensive development plan which sets out long-term goals to accelerate economic growth.
Administration officials said the plan was created with the participation of multiple sectors represented in the National Council of Urban and Rural Development (CONADUR).
The 2032 K'atun National Development Plan contains five axes around which the actions to be implemented rotate, such as: Welfare for the people, Wealth for All, Natural resources for today and tomorrow, as well as the hub of Urban and Rural Guatemala and the state as guarantor of rights and driver of development.
The tests to be carried out over six months in 20 vehicles consist of mixing from 1% to 10% ethanol with different gasolines used in the country.
The pilot plan to be implemented by the Guatemalan government has the support of the Organization of American States and aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels in the country.
S21.com.gt reports that "...The plan aims to mix between from 1% to 10% ethanol produced from sugar cane with the different types of fuel used in Guatemala, and test them in automotive models produced from the early 80s to the present. "
The project stalled in the Guatemalan Parliament is keeping investment decisions paralyzed, until there is certainty about the rules that will govern the country.
In the meantime, President Pérez Molina once again urged the passage of the Act:
From an article on Guatemala.gob.gt:
The president of Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina, emphasized the need to pass the Law for Investment Promotion and Employment which was presented by the Executive Agency in January 2013 and is a package of reforms and new legislation to facilitate installation of firms in the country.
Health authorities in both countries are seeking to harmonize standards for health and food safety for the horticultural products traded with each other.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office:
Health authorities in Mexico and Guatemala have agreed to work on the approval of standards for health and safety of horticultural products produced under Risk Reduction Systems as a requirement for entry to the respective countries. These actions aim to intensify trade of food products, reported the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA).
The Guatemalan government has granted a 50-year concession for the construction and operation of the Hydroelectric Station Recreo II, in the town of San Felipe Retalhuleu.
An article on Nacion.com reports that "... Through the agreement 215-2014 published today in Diario de Central America, the MEM allows installation of the plant for a period of 50 years. The agreement is signed by the Minister Erick Archila. "
The agreement between the governments of Guatemala and Mexico establishes the granting of temporary work permits for Guatemalans in the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche and Quintana Roo.
From a statement issued by the Government of Guatemala:
The Governments of Guatemala and Mexico have launched the Safe Passage program, which will provide Guatemalans and Belizeans with regional visitor cards and frontier worker cards at no cost, among other measures, in order to create a safe and orderly control of people crossing the Mexican border.
With a loan from the government of Taiwan a stretch of 22 kms from the CA-9 Atlantic road leading southeast of the country will be expanded to four lanes.
The roadworks planned by the government are to start in late July, and comprise of the third phase of the project of expanding the logistics corridor linking the capital with the South East.
Businessmen are decrying a lack of technical support from the State and difficulty in accessing bank financing.
Since 2012 nearly 450 workshops making handmade furniture in San Juan Sacatepequez have closed. A study by the Association for the Development of Communications reveals that a lack of funding, investment in machinery and technical support, are negatively affecting this sector.
Foro Guatemala has asked the Government to strengthen the mechanisms for transparency in procurement of medicines for the state.
Representatives from Foro Guatemala met with President Otto Perez, who was asked for more transparency in various fields, including medicine purchases for the state.
"... It is important to have more effectiveness in those areas where the issue of transparency has become more evident, for example the purchase of medicines and supplies for the health sector," said Renzo Rosal, member of Foro Guatemala.
Among other criticisms it has been noted that the tax would encourage established companies to move towards informality.
The executive has rejected the proposal that individuals and organizations who operate informally pay a $20 annual tax, which was intended to expand the tax base.
According to the Guatemalan vice president, Roxana Baldetti, who proposed the tax, " ...