Wendel Estuardo Arriaza Ayala, Guatemalan ambassador in Santiago de Chile, was in the country for two days (August 31 and September 1). During that time he spoke with the authorities of the Industrial Union of Paraguay (UIP) and the Rural Association of Paraguay (ARP) to discuss the investment possibilities that our country has in its Central American counterpart.
In the opposite direction, Guatemalan investment in the country is currently around US$315 million. Among them is the Paseo La Galería shopping center and the Grupo Solid paint factory, recently inaugurated. The trade generated by Guatemalan businesses during 2021 was US$5 million, according to the diplomat, so he has the mission of increasing these figures in the country.
Arriaza Ayala is a career diplomat, holds a doctorate in public administration and a master’s degree in International Relations. He has a degree in Communication Sciences and Advertising, in addition to having more than 11 years of experience in different areas of the Foreign Ministry.
What is the status of the Guatemalan embassy in Paraguay?
I am residing in Chile, we are responsible for maintaining the bilateral relationship. There are embassies that are residents and resort to other countries in this case. I am responsible for the relationship with Paraguay. For the Guatemalan community in the country, I tell you that we are here to support you from Chile.
Are you going to present the credential letters to the presidency of the Republic?
First we go to the Foreign Ministry, for copies of the letters and then before His Excellency, President Abdo Benítez. It is a process of democratic practice so we are fine.
How are bilateral relations between Guatemala and Paraguay?
We are at an excellent level of diplomatic relations. Guatemala and Paraguay have more than 50 years of relations in which we maintain similar positions in multilateral organizations, the bilateral relationship is very solid, we are both working on economic recovery after the pandemic. We are strong working with the Paraguayan ambassador in Chile, former Foreign Minister Antonio Rivas Palacios, a friend of Guatemala. We hope to meet later at the presidential level and based on this we can strengthen cooperation ties, trade ties and political dialogue.
What did the pandemic leave for Guatemala?
We are in the process of recovery, it has affected us all, President Alejandro Giammattei has a government program in which he is focusing on economic recovery. A program called “Guatemala does not stop” that has five pillars, of which four pillars are aimed at recovery, in the areas of industry, trade, food production and more. We will be presenting it to the Paraguayan government in the coming months.
The business climate has improved in Paraguay…
Guatemala has a large investment, a shopping center that cost around US$300 million. A recently installed company in the field of painting, there are a little more than US$ 315 million here. The business climate is very attractive, we are talking to companies so that both economies win. From the UIP and the ARP, the entire Paraguayan private sector is open to expanding foreign investment.
What are the potential investment areas?
Real estate and light industry theme. In the same way, we are going to deepen it with the IPU because they are going to give us a presentation to be able to help them enter Guatemala and we can also meet them. We are near and far at the same time. The important thing here is the relationship that we have maintained and strengthened with my approach to the government, we want to strengthen Latin American ties.
How is the macroeconomic health of Guatemala?
Guatemala has the strongest macroeconomy in the Central American region. Efforts have been made to maintain decisions at that level, but the inflationary process is worldwide. In other words, it is a world crisis that, in a certain way, each country, being sovereign, makes the macroeconomic decisions. In our case, in the different presentations we made, Guatemala continues to be the most solid macro economy in the region.
Will there be Paraguayan investment in Guatemala?
It is my responsibility, so we are trying to present the option. The “Guatemala does not stop” program has advantages in terms of legislation to be able to present the landing of new investments in the country.
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The entrance “We are strengthening ties with Paraguay” was first published in The Independent.
