BizCLIR

Author (s):

The World Bank

Date:

January 2006

Publication (if applicable):

N/A

Abstract (if Available):

Over the past decade Guatemala performed well on many macroeconomic indicators, implemented important reforms to increase trade integration, and achieved impressive social gains. This progress in the 1990s is heartening. Despite these improvements, Guatemala has fallen short of its growth potential. Economic growth on a per capita basis, was not sufficiently high to sharply reduce the country's high poverty rates, which is among the highest in the region. Which features of Guatemala's investment climate pose particular obstacles to economic growth and development? To answer that question, this investment climate assessment uses data from a 2003 survey of four hundred and fifty five manufacturing firms in Guatemala; a survey of two hundred and fifty enterprises in the rural and informal sector; and from a myriad publicly available sources. The hope is that the results will help identify the reforms most critical to private sector development and facilitate consensus on a more far-reaching agenda of reform.

URL:

http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2006/02/09/000160016_20060209162937/Rendered/PDF/351950GU0Investment0CA.pdf