Costa Rica and Honduras are the countries who received the most foreign direct investment in Central America in 2011, leaving behind Guatemala near the bottom of the list.
Despite being the largest economy in the isthmus, Guatemala has lost the appeal that previously drove foreign companies to invest in the country.
The growing insecurity and lack of foreign policy to attract capital are some of the reasons for the decline, according to Guatemalan private sector representatives.
According to data from the World Investment 2011 report, prepared by the United Nations, $3483 million arrived in Central America by way of foreign investment, with Guatemala getting only $686 million.
While this figure far exceeds that of El Salvador, which stood at the bottom of the list, with just $78 million, it does not correspond to the size of the Guatemalan economy, which by its nature may should receive more investments from abroad.
In an article in S21.com.gt, the executive director of the Chamber of Industries said: "foreign policy was not taken with a view to attracting capital and on the subject of security, there have not been results concrete enough to persuade potential partners that the country is a safe place in which to entrust their money. "
An analyst of the Association for Research and Social Studies (ASIES), Ruben Dario Narciso, said that "the rating index Doing Business 2011 (World Bank) rated Guatemala as poor in some sectors such as infrastructure, but the most alarming is the cost of security for business because it placed the country among the 10 worst performers in the world. "
Source: sigloxxi.com
More on this topic
June 2009
$631 million have entered the country between January and June, 7.2% less than the $680 million during the same period in 2008.
Business Chamber Directors blame the decrease on a reduction of liquidity globally and a deterioration of the image of the country caused by the lack of security.
March 2011
According to a recent Banguat report, in 2009 57% of all foreign direct investment (FDI) was directed to the services sector.
Natural resources accounted for 23% and manufacturing 8.5%, while for 2011 authorities expect foreign investment to increase 11% when compared to 2010.
May 2012
Foreign Direct Investment in 2011, in millions: Panama - $2,790, Costa Rica - $2,104, Honduras - $1,014, Guatemala - $985, Nicaragua - $460, El Salvador - $386.
Notable for its importance to the respective economies, is the growth of the arrival of foreign direct investment in Nicaragua, which increased by $460 million compared to 2010.
April 2008
The recent turbulence in international financial markets have slowed the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) was Guatemala.
The slowdown of the world economy and the threat of recession in US There have already been felt in Guatemala, with a decline of foreign investment in the país.
español
1895
