Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America, with around 16 million inhabitants. It generates one third of that region’s GDP and plays an important role in the promotion of regional integration and the development of relations between the European Union and Central America. 

The European Commission, supports Central American integration and Guatemala's efforts to consolidate the rule of law. 

The commission currently finances projects for the defence of human rights, food security, disaster prevention and socio-economic development. These initiatives help specific sectors such as indigenous peoples, women and youth, and are managed by national and European non-governmental organisations. 

The EU is based on a strong commitment to promote and protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law throughout the world. (Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union). 

The EU is convinced that sustainable international peace, development, prosperity, respect for human rights and democratic governance are fundamental to conflict resolution and are valuable bulwarks against terrorism. 

Global Gateway: An Investment Initiative of the European Union

Global Gateway is the European Union's (EU) quality investment offer for its partners worldwide, designed to align their interests with those of the EU from a geopolitical perspective. This initiative aims to reduce the global investment gap by facilitating social, just, green, and digital transitions beyond Europe, while enhancing the competitiveness and security of global supply chains.

The proposal is based on trust, sustainability, and mutual interests, providing investments for transformative and large-scale projects. Global Gateway promotes secure links in key sectors such as digital, transport, energy, and climate, and strengthens networks in education, research, and health. Additionally, it focuses on improving the enabling environment for investments in basic infrastructure by establishing regulatory frameworks and promoting technology transfer.

Latin America and the Caribbean: Opportunities and Cooperation

Latin America and the Caribbean present a unique potential with shared values and interests with the EU, as well as strong economic and cultural ties. The region faces specific challenges, particularly for small island states, which require a sustainable development approach.

During the III EU-CELAC Summit in July 2023, leaders from both regions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bi-regional partnership, recognizing the importance of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA). This agenda focuses on closing investment gaps in priority areas, promoting sustainable and inclusive development in sectors such as digital transformation, health, energy, and value chains.

The GGIA is oriented towards a triple transition: green, digital, and social, and seeks to foster innovation, create local value, and generate growth and social cohesion. It will be implemented through a Team Europe approach, integrating various stakeholders, including financial institutions and the private sector.

In the digital realm, Global Gateway supports a human-centered transformation and inclusive connectivity, promoting the EU-Latin America and Caribbean Digital Alliance. This alliance fosters dialogue on digital policies and regulatory cooperation, improving connectivity and access to essential services in underserved areas.

Furthermore, Global Gateway supports progress towards a climate-neutral and resilient economy by aiding the diversification of pharmaceutical supply chains and the development of local capacities. Through the Inclusive Societies initiative, it aims to enhance social cohesion and access to services, with a particular focus on women's rights.

The EU also promotes a favorable environment for investment and trade in the region by strengthening regulation, the rule of law, and institutional capacity. This comprehensive approach is essential to maximize the positive impact of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Alianza Digital UE-América Latina y el Caribe

The European Union is the 5th destination for Guatemala's exports, through regional integration and free trade and business cooperation agreements with Europe. 

As a member of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the relationship with the EU includes political dialogue, an agenda of cooperation and a favourable trade regime. This has the aim of promoting sustainable development and good governance included in the new Generalized System of Preferences (GSP+). 

Trade area

Association Agreement implies the establishment of a free trade zone between Central America and the EU, the effective implementation of a Customs Union among Central American countries.  

Bilateral programmes

The EU finances the AL-INVEST Regional Programme, which seeks to contribute to improving social cohesion in the region (Mexico-Central America) by strengthening SMEs, increasing competitiveness, incorporating new technologies, and improving processes. 

The European Union supports developing countries in their insertion into the global economy, fostering the knowledge and infrastructure necessary to expand their participation in world trade and take advantage of its benefits. 

The EU is the leading donor under the World Trade Organization's Aid for Trade initiative. 

An online service, the Export Helpdesk, provides exporters from developing countries with information on import requirements for a common market of 27 countries and 500 million consumers with high purchasing power. Lastly, on import requirements for the Central American market, the EU provided cooperation funds to support the development of a computerised tool called Arancel Informatizado Centroamericano (Central American Computerised Tariff), which contains the necessary customs information. 

ACCESS2MARKETS

Exporting from the EU, importing to the EU... Everything you need to know: product-by-product information on tariffs and taxes, customs procedures, rules of origin, trade barriers, product requirements, statistics for all EU countries and over 120 export markets worldwide. To find out in detail visit the link: https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/home

The EU, through the European Commission and its Member States, is the main donor of development cooperation in Guatemala, with more than one billion euros (Q.12 million) in donations since the signing of the Peace Accords. 

The EU is working on a strategic cooperation framework (MIP) that covers 7 years and concentrates on 3 priority sectors to unite efforts and not disperse; at the end of the 7 years, results and a positive impact can be seen. 

The cooperation cycle that is currently culminating from 2013 to 2020 focusing on these sectors: support for competitiveness, food security and good governance. In addition, it has supported the defence and promotion of human rights, indigenous peoples and women victims of violence. 

The new MIP 2021-2027 includes: 

• Green Pact: seeks to support Guatemala in the fight against climate change, environmental protection and biodiversity. 
• Sustainable inclusive economic development: supporting the economic development of the country; inclusive for the most vulnerable, rural communities, small rural entrepreneurs who can benefit from this economic growth, often concentrated in the capital. 
• Institutional strengthening, good governance and human development: supporting public institutions to be more effective and improving access to and quality of the services they provide, be it education, health, water or sanitation.