On Monday, March 18, an economic dialogue table began with Guatemalan and US authorities, with the aim of cooperating to promote economic growth in Guatemala.
Both the Guatemalan and American missions highlighted their interests in working on the relationship between both countries.
“Not only have we brought in a dozen agencies of our government, but there are very few dialogues of this type in our hemisphere and they mark the promise of a very special point in the bilateral relationship,” declared José Fernández, US Undersecretary of State.
According to the explanation of the Minister of Finance, Jonathan Menkos, five axes of work were established. The first of them is to close the paths to corruption from the institutions; the second is competition law; and is followed by the increase in electrical coverage.
“A fourth pillar is linked to agriculture, food and nutritional security in which there are also common efforts that we can talk to you regarding; and a fifth pillar linked to remittances and the efforts that both governments want to make to have a closer relationship with the families that send them,” explained the head of Finance.
The President of the Republic Bernardo Arévalo, the Vice President, Karin Herrera, the President of Congeso, Nery Ramos, participated in the dialogue, as well as the ministers and directors of Executive committees.
On behalf of the United States were the ambassador, Tobin Bradley, deputy secretary Fernández, the global anti-corruption coordinator, Richard Nephew and Mileydi Guilarte, deputy assistant administrator for the Latin American and Caribbean office of the United States Cooperation Agency (USAID). , among other representatives of Joe Biden’s government.
In his opening words, Arévalo thanked the coordinated efforts being made.
“This first high-level economic dialogue comes at a favorable time, and it is an opportunity that we will know how to take advantage of,” said the president.
US officials made it clear that they trust the new government to attract investment and collaboration, but they did not mention why there was no such trust under the previous government.
More details of the cooperation will be discussed on March 25, when President Arévalo meets with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
Agriculture and food security
Food safety
Through a new partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, the Feed the Future initiative will begin, which will propose areas to mobilize resources from all public and private sectors to make investments. future.
Sustainable electricity
USAID will cooperate with US$3,800,000 to improve electricity coverage, focusing on Verapaces and western departments.
Entrepreneurship for the climate
The State Department plans to work in the capital with the Cleantech Hub and the Rafael Landívar University to generate business plans focused on climate and sustainability so that participating companies reduce at least 50 thousand tons of CO2 per year.
Good government
Probity Units
USAID will provide technical assistance and includes organizational and operational assessments to determine how corruption occurs, identify perpetrators, and issue recommendations to improve existing units, increase staff capacity, and strengthen institutions.
open government
Advice will be coordinated with the Department of State and USAID to improve processes for the transparency of acquisitions and support in the digitization of data and include the development of capacities for the government and civil society groups.
Equitable growth
Through the Inter-American Foundation, which works with 34 Guatemalan organizations, a total of US$2.2 million in investment and co-investment was announced aimed at four organizations that serve marginalized populations affected by economic inequality.
Investment promotion
Metroriel
The Transaction Advisory Fund (TAF) might provide US$650,000 to advance the public transportation project promised in Arévalo’s campaign. In addition to providing international experience to perform engineering and design services for the construction of bridges and overpasses.
Infrastructure
USAID will provide technical help so that the infrastructure is not affected by climatological aspects with a fund close to US$ 5 million and will connect government agencies with private sector companies.
Competition law
The Ministry of Economy requested support from USAID for the competition law being worked on in Congress. In addition, the country is interested in continuing to provide technical advice on other legal regulations that are required.
Investment promotion
The Trade Law Development Program of the Department of Commerce and the Department of State are close to closing an agreement to improve the transparency, effectiveness, competition and sustainability of Guatemala, and USAID will also provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Economy to increase the government’s capacity to design investment initiatives.
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