Because of the economic crisis, Foreign Direct Investment flows have practically vanished, and in order to attract the few investments that are projected for next year, countries are expected to compete by offering incentives and aid programs for businesses.
The covid-19 outbreak dissipated the investment intentions of companies globally. At the beginning of the fourth quarter of the year, there are signs that business confidence has begun to recover; however, pessimism among investors is expected to continue next year.
From January to September 2019, the country received $671 million in foreign direct investment, 6% more than in the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Bank of Guatemala show that between the first nine months of 2018 and the same period in 2019, foreign direct investment (FDI) that reached the country increased by $39 million, from $671 million to $632 million.
In Guatemala, businessmen are asking the incoming government to create a public policy on foreign investment that incorporates issues such as fair and equitable treatment of investments, the minimum standard of treatment and the definition of arbitrariness.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country is not having its best moment, as figures from the Bank of Guatemala indicate that in 2018 the flow captured was $1.031 million, 12% less than the $1.170 million reported in 2017. See official data.
Panama and Honduras were the only two Central American countries to report increases in foreign direct investment in 2018 over the previous year, with year-on-year changes of 36% and 3%, respectively.
The growth of investments directed to Panama, which concentrated 51% of the sub-regional total, explained the increase that was reached in 2018 in Central America (9.4%), since except Panama and Honduras, the Central American countries received less Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) than in 2017, explains the report "Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2019", produced by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
During 2018, Guatemala received $1.175 million in FDI, barely 0.5% more than the investment reported in 2017, mainly because of the political and legal uncertainty that ruled the country.
Figures from the Banco de Guatemala (Banguat) report that in the last five years, the country has gained $6,139 million in foreign direct investment (FDI), being 2014 the one that registered the highest year-on-year increase when reporting a 7% rate regarding 2013.
Before the end of the year a government agreement could be ready which would unify the various departments for promoting investment as well as the creation of the Guatemala Trade and Investment entity.
Prensalibre.com reports that "...Rubén Morales, economy minister, said the goal is to manage this body through an executive committee made up of representatives from the public and private sectors, and which would be chaired by the Minister of Economy."
The Government aims to create Proguate, an entity that will focus on attracting foreign investment and implementing a competitiveness strategy.
The Guatemalan government aims to create an agency to promote investment in the country. Proguate will focus on designing a brand for the country in order to attract foreign investment and implement a competitiveness strategy.