Guatemala: The World of Opportunity

Aired May 2010

More than 3,000 years ago a people endowed with extraordinary skills formed one of the most well fabled civilizations in history. Those people were the Maya and their cradle is what’s known today as Guatemala. A land steeped in a wealth of traditions where men, nature and time have collided to create a magical nation.
A land that is today seducing the world…a nation that is offering its people the world of opportunity. Notwithstanding its rich history, this is the story of a country looking to the future. A country that is using its cultural and environmental resources to enter the international arena. Enduring beauty, A business environment that is its environment. And a driven people that are the true engine room of a firing economy
Forget your past perceptions…US Television brings you; “Guatemala; the world of opportunity”.

Bordered by Mexico to the north, Belize to the east, and Honduras to the south Guatemala is strategically positioned in the north of Central America.

A magical country, sharing 14 million people, between 23 cultures and 23 interdependent visions. The site of a Mayan civilization dating back to 1500 B.C., the area was conquered by Spain in 1524. Rich and distinctive culture from the long mix of elements from Spain and the native Maya people are still vibrant on the country’s panorama.Its indigenous peoples still make up about half of the population. Mayan languages are spoken alongside Spanish, the official tongue. Much of the clothing and food is still made in the traditional way in small villages in the highlands, and many Mayan ruins can be found, dotted around the country. Guatemala joined in a federation of Central American states before becoming a separate republic in 1839.

Today its capital; Guatemala City is a showcase of the country’s evolution. With a population of just over 2 million the city is spread out in a valley with the Agua volcano reigning on its horizon. Fast paced and vibrant, Guatemala City hosts a wonderful blend of old and new and possesses a distinct Latin charm.

It also the home of the Administration of President Alvaro Colom. Guatemala’s first left leaning president in more than half a century Colom came into power in 2008 and has since raised expectations at home and confounded skeptics abroad.

Guatemala has over 13 million gross domestic product and boasts the largest economy in Central America. The challenge facing the country is now to be equally competitive. Although it is trying to expand its manufacturing activities to reduce economic dependence on agriculture, the agri sector is still of crucial importance. The most profitable export and one of Guatemala’s original commercial developments in the 19th century, coffee production is still key to the national economy.

The country is the world’s third largest exporter of the increasingly popular coffee bean and among its major clients it lists Starbucks and McDonalds. Now on the crest of this growing international confidence Guatemala pursues an aggressive foreign trade policy that is looking at all its options.

Diversification as a business hub now more than ever has bred a consciousness of the need for economic transformation. Guatemala is experiencing a strong growth in the outsourcing sector. In particular it is fully taking advantage of its new position as a call-center and business process destination. The country has state of the art technology and an important telecommunications capacity. The human capital meets the highest standards of the industrial sector and its competitive cost make Guatemala one of the most attractive countries in Latin America for the investors.

“A lot done, a lot left to do”, is a recurring theme you hear among Guatemala’s business community. Constructing the business environment means also putting the infrastructure in place to turn the nation’s strategic location between North and South America into its best advantage. All this and more is taking shape across the country; brand new highways, container terminals and a dramatically expanded international airport. In general, Guatemala is a very price-sensitive country. Nevertheless it is also ranked by the United Nations as one of the nations with the largest income distribution gaps meaning that there is a good market for the higher-end products and are enabling a creative industry. Guatemala City sitting proudly on a plateau surrounded by volcanoes is home to 2 and half million people.
With half the population under the age of eighteen and 70 percent younger than 30, the demographics clearly favor further growth in what is already Central America’s largest metropolis. As a pillar of the local economy the construction sector has been gearing up to meet this contemporary market.

Even though the sector has not been shielded from the global downturn an estimated 1 million unit house deficit has experts believing that growth is likely to rapidly turn upwards. The Guatemalan central bank has predicted that of all remittances that flow into the country about 25% goes into investment with home renovations and home building accounting for most of that percentage. The boom sector in the country’s housing industry is also being combined with some diversification in the focus of the sector’s leading enterprises. With the increased public capital spending projections in large infrastructure and civil engineering projects they are also stimulating rapid evolution of the sector. The construction business in Guatemala differs from the business model in other parts of the world. While in the United States there are companies that specialize in one aspect of the business, such a realtors, developers, architectural and engineering firms, in Guatemala the same company can often be involved in all aspects. A vast amount of experience in the industry has been breeding a robust form of company. Not only is it covering the domestic market but Guatemalan construction companies are etching a presence into international markets.

Truly worried about the escalating cost of oil Guatemala is trying to ignite a budding energy sector and use its national potential to wean itself off dependence on imported energy. Demand for electricity domestically is expected to jump by 8 percent this year, with sustained growth of 15% forecast through 2015.
Campaigners and politicians are now urging for alternative solutions. Ironically, the nation has the capacity to generate all its own energy using renewable and non-renewable sources and well and truly become the energy rich cousin in Central America.

The administration of Alvaro Colon has cited the huge capacity the country has as the impetus to seize this energy conundrum and turn it into an opportunity.
Only seven per cent of Guatemala’s hydropower potential of 10 900 MW has so far been tapped. According to World Energy Research, a leading global energy consultant the country’s solar, biomass and geothermal resources alone could energize all of Central America.
Guatemala is now on a fast track to putting everything in place to capitalize on this sustainable energy channel.

Yet oil will never be completely eliminated from the energy matrix.
This can be said with a safe breath in Guatemala especially since it is an oil producing nation that is showing huge potential for increased capacity.

The Pacific reservoir has a depth of over 10,000 feet and is associated with the presence of methane gas. The exploration of this zone will start in mid 2010.

Expectations are that the country could increase production to more than 100,000 barrels per day for the next 20 years. There are also strong indications of considerable additional reserves in the border areas of Mexico and Belize and exploration of the pacific basin

Not until long ago the land of Mayan temples, exotic jungle panoramas and charming colonial towns was largely ignored by tourists. Today Guatemala is recognized as a cultural tourist destination surrounded by its exuberant nature.
Its many cultures and their rich customs and traditions and its archaeological heritage are just a few the un-missable features that will give you the opportunity to share, discover and learn.

Guatemala is a country where the Mayan people live their traditions fully. They express their history and customs through their beautiful pottery, jade figures, and multicolor textiles, which are a true testimony of their ancient culture.
It is an unbelievably beautiful, complex, and diverse country that has preserved their most precious heritage, its people.

Guatemala has a cultural and natural diversity of great value among the global context. Tikal is among the world’s travel wonders, many calling Tikal one of the most spiritually powerful spots on earth. The monumental site with its towering pyramids looms out of the thick jungle canopy like stoic sentinels of ancient mysteries.
Tikal was once a wealthy metropolis of 100,000 inhabitants and the seat of power for the great Jaguar clan lords. Today, Tikal attracts archeologists from all around the globe and the wild-live surrounding the ruins makes it a naturalist’s dream. Because of its importance and magnificent combination of nature and archaeological remains, Tikal has been declared a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Antigua just 30 minutes drive from the capital offers something for all travel tastes. Among the world’s best conserved colonial cities, it is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped some 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings; strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, it offers the full effect of ancient times!
Throughout its highlands, Guatemala is one of those rare destinations that rewards even the most jaded world traveler with revelatory experiences.

Volcanoes in Guatemala are spread throughout the country, totaling over 30 that dot the countryside and characterize the skyline of many of Guatemala’s most popular tourist destinations.
An active volcano, Pacaya began its active phase in 1965, and ever since it has been experiencing an array of volcanic activity. More often than not, the Pacaya Volcano emits nothing more than gaseous emissions and relatively small steam eruptions. Rising to 8,371 feet above sea level, the Pacaya volcano is surely not the tallest of the volcanoes in Guatemala, but it is perhaps the most climbed.
The current increase of international flights and the arrival of cruise ships to both main seaports has facilitated access and increased tourism development.

An active volcano, Pacaya began its active phase in 1965, and ever since it has been experiencing an array of volcanic activity. More often than not, the Pacaya Volcano emits nothing more than gaseous emissions and relatively small steam eruptions. Rising to 8,371 feet above sea level, the Pacaya volcano is surely not the tallest of the volcanoes in Guatemala, but it is perhaps the most climbed.
The current increase of international flights and the arrival of cruise ships to both main seaports has facilitated access and increased tourism development.