Guatemala, Jan 17 (EFE) .- The government headed by Otto Perez Molina today bet improve competitiveness and attract more foreign investment in Guatemala, to provide conditions for job creation and fighting poverty in this country.
During a visit to the Ministry of Economy (Mineco), Perez Molina said in a speech to public servants in his administration, which began last Saturday, will provide the facilities, trust and legal certainty for foreign investment arrives.
“The big challenge is to create opportunities for Guatemala is a competitive country, not only between companies but between countries in the region (but) it must give the security and foreign investor confidence,” said the president.
A report of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) notes that between 2005 and 2010 reached 3.677 million dollars Guatemala in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
For 2011, the Bank of Guatemala considered that FDI would reach $ 789 million.
The retired general, 61, who ruled the country during the period 2012-2016, reiterated his commitment to make structural changes to the 200,000 young people who join each year to the productive forces do not have to leave the country for lack of employment .
Open unemployment in Guatemala is estimated at 3.5%, while 51% of the more than 14 million lives below the poverty line.
Vice President of Guatemala, Roxana Baldetti, told public servants that the ministries are “the backbone” to move the country forward “in need of many oars and the boat through other paths.”
Baldetti said that this government will not allow corruption in any institution and as vice president is committed to reducing the scourge in the next four years.
Each year, he said, about 15,000 million quetzals (1,923 million dollars), “goes to the pockets of a few Guatemalans who do not pay taxes.”
According to studies by the World Economic Forum, the Corruption Perceptions Index 2011, Guatemala was ranked 120 out of 182 countries, making it one of the most corrupt countries.
In its Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011, ranked Guatemala Forum ranked 78 out of 139 countries, and is in last place out of 139 nations in relation to the costs associated with insecurity. EFE