SUNDAY OCTOBER 15TH 2017 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY BUSINESS REPORTS ON UNIQUE MEDIAS TO THE MIAMI HERALD FACEBOOk.COM/BRUMREPORTS Guatemala BY JUAN CARLOS ZAPATA Guatemala bets on infrastructure Guatemala is working on changing the system and the logistics of the infrastructure investment model to make a quantum leap. According to international standards, the country has 1.3 meters of highway per inhabitant while the United States have 20.5 2 BY RICHARD AITKENHEAD PLAZA DE LA CONSTITUICIÓN The actions of the National Palace’s leader have been watched since people occupied the main square expressing their disapproval for corrupt governments The dawn of a new country CORRUPTION LOST ITS PLACE AS PEOPLE OCCUPIED THE MAIN SQUARE EXPRESSING THEIR Building the DISAPPROVAL FOR PAST PRACTICES AND REJECTING IMPUNITY. A LAWFUL CULTURE HAS EMERGED future, changing the uatemala is dawning differently Guatemala is unfortunately still seen as a The place boasts a native cultural inher- lately. Corruption has lost its place place of violence. But it has also woken up to itance from the Mayan Empire as well as an present among the country’s bustle, and the importance of its international image, important Spanish influence as a result of Guatemala business, giving way to a lawful cul- its tourism potential, the virtue of its people, the Colonial Period. There are 16 million in- continuously struggles Gture. It is at a crossroad, searching for political and the value of its fertile volcanic land. habitants living in its 108,889 square meters. to break free from its balance. Ever since the people occupied the The Central American country enjoys a Its macroeconomic pillars are very past, a past plagued main square expressing their disapproval for competitive advantage due to its strategic healthy, with a relatively low GDP debt level with systems that limit past practices, it has become clear that — from location; as a natural bridge between the and average growth rate in the past six years its future. the same square — they will carefully watch Americas, it accesses both the Atlantic and of 3.7%. The Central Bank is structurally It is a society too the actions of the National Palace’s leader. Pacific oceans. sound and conservative, in addition to hav- slow to change, and “Guatemala is naturally a peace- and democ- The name “Guatemala” (or in the Náhuatl ing a strong monetary policy. where those seeking a racy-loving country. Its people have bravely language “Quauhtlemallan”) means “place “Guatemala, being a country of young renewed and different shown the world how to fight against corrupt of many trees.” It does justice to the coun- people, has a very encouraging future of de- direction are attacked governments and reject impunity,” comments try’s immense nature, which extends from velopment, since its best competitive advan- from different fronts. 2 Chancellor Sandra Erica Jovel. its volcanic Pacific coast all the way to the tage is the people themselves,” commentes Having lived through a violent period of tall, mountainous regions of Verapaz and its Álvaro Arzú, ex-President and Mayor of civil war, which lasted 36 years until 1996, magnificent entrance into the Caribbean. Guatemala City. CLEAN INDUSTRY Tourism is a priority The Guatemalan Government raises the status of the sustainable Tourism Plan to a State Policy aiming to develop tourist activity 13 FISHERING The fascinating and colorful land where Mayan culture and traditions are alive Sailfish uatemala is home to a thriving Its capital, Guatemala City, is o ne of the Known as the country of eternal spring, abundance local culture with an awe-inspiring most modern and cosmopolitan in Central it enjoys a mild climate year- round. Its The country has an backdrop of volcanoes, lakes, and America. With over 3,000 archaeological temperate climate, combined with varied average of 15 bites per mountains. Walking among its sites, the country offers abundant geography, makes it a haven for endangered day per boat. It boasts Gnatural, archaeological, and colonial wonders opportunities to see unparalleled historical species. With its overwhelming environmental six to eight times more is like traveling back in time. The ancient finds. Artifacts such as Popol Vuh, the Mayan diversity, it has been named 1 of the 19 than anywhere else in culture and traditions of the Mayans are alive. religious book, were discovered here. megadiverse countries in the world. 10 the Americas. 12 2 SUNDAY OCTOBER 15TH 2017 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY BUSINESS REPORTS ON UNIQUE MEDIAS TO THE MIAMI HERALD FACEBOOk.COM/BRUMREPORTS Opinion EDITORIAL related. Local businesses invest kind in all social classes. This proposition of what a nation Studies from the Reputation in technology and meet the goes so far that, in a trade nego- offers visitors and investors and Institute found a high corre- highest international standards. tiation, a Guatemalan may be has three dimensions: tourism, lation between a country’s We were very surprised at the unable to say no; even if he also exports, and foreign direct reputation and supportive Inside programs of social responsibility does not say yes. investment. Countries that have behaviors, which implies a in the private sector, which now Their kindness makes it al- built an image based on positive direct relationship with the Guatemala takes the role of the State by most impossible for a foreigner perceptions have competitive creation of tangible economic providing school, health, food, not to feel welcome, and makes advantages that add value to value: a 10% increase in rep- and transportation. In the same us agree with many interview- their products or services. utation implies on average an ne of the major way, the high levels of environ- ees who emphasize that “their In contrast, when there are no 11% increase in tourist arrivals purposes of our work mental awareness practices are people” are one of the country’s perceptions, or they are nega- and a 2% rise in foreign direct is to unveil a new standards established by the competitive advantages. With- tive, the penetration and per- investment. country and present companies themselves. out a doubt, it is a territory full manence of offers and services Guatemala, which previously Oit beyond its borders in a fair Guatemala is experiencing of ambitious and hardworking have to overcome a barrier. had deconcentrated or discon- way. This goal could hardly be a historic moment in which young people, eager for oppor- After living day-to-day life tinued actions in this regard, fulfilled by looking at the coun- concern about the country’s tunities. in the modern city of “Guate” seems to be finally giving more try from the outside. During direction permeates social In this traditional and patriar- - as the locals call it - and the importance to the subject, and three months living in Guate- conversations. After reports chal society, family is a priority, weekends in tourist paradis- has now delegated the efforts mala, there were more than 100 against and the imprisonment and family businesses are a es, we regreted to realize that under a single institution. In interviews. We asked a lot. But of the previous president, one source of pride. Being on good many times this is the case for turn, the Tourism Institute is above all, we listened: to the breathes “anti-corruption” terms is important, as well as the country: null, little, or bad exploring this weakness very Guatemalans. In the next pages, air loaded with oxygen for the having a good social image. international perception. wisely in a reverse marketing we give voice to them. dream of a more prosperous As a nation, however, until The potential of tourism in campaign: “Guatemala is the In addition to listening, we country; which, instead, stifles now they have cared little for this territory is incalculable, Secret. Discover it. ” observed: Guatemala is a place public institutions and paralyzes their own image at the interna- and in the case of violence, the of natural networking - every- the execution of budgets. tional level. image is infinitely worse than If you are intrigued, turn the one knows each other and is Guatemalans are extremely Country-brand is a value reality. page. Guatemala bets on infrastruture to Building the future, spur development changing the present positioning the country as an energy center for the region. In recent years, goods and services being trans- ported across the country have slowed. According BY JUAN to estimates by the Private CARLOS ZAPATA Competitiveness Coun- BY RICHARD @jczapata_s cil (Fundesa, 2017), the AITKENHEAD average speed with which CASTILLO a person or product moves ccording to on the main roads of the gap analysis in country fell from 58 km/h uatemala the economic in 2000 to 37 km/h in continuously growth of 25 2017, a decrease of 36.2% struggles to Asectors of the economy, in 17 years. If we analyze break free from which represent 70 % the investment in road Gits past, a past plagued of the gross domestic infrastructure, according with systems that limit product (Mejoremos to the World Bank, be- its future. Traditionally, Guate, 2011), Guatemala tween 1985 and 2013 the Guatemala’s society has PLAZA Guatemala’s public square is the place where people are protesting together against corruption could reduce poverty road network increased been very conservative by solving certain by 80%, approximately in the sense that it is parties in Guatemala itself as having the most success, but for failure bottlenecks such as: 7,335 kilometers (a growth suspicious of any changes, have a negative public significant economy in and the perpetuation of reducing bureaucratic rate equivalent to 1.8 % while at the same time image and are held in low Central America.