Ambassador Davidson: My main priority since becoming ambassador has been continuing to work to advance the Prosperity Agenda in Guatemala. In terms of achievements, we were

pleased to open the British Chamber of Commerce in Guatemala, which is a visible testament of our commitment to strengthen relations between the two countries. We set up the chamber with one eye on Brexit and the opportunities that will create, but also conscious of the opportunities and potential that Guatemala offers British firms.

In 2018 we arranged the visit of a board member of Anadie, the Guatemalan public private partnership body, and also a Guatemalan member of Congress, to Britain to speak to British infrastructure experts. The UK has a lot of knowledge in PPPs and we are keen to help Guatemala deliver the major projects that it needs to develop. We are also working on bringing an infrastructure trade mission from Britain to Guatemala to showcase the business opportunities that the country can offer British businesses.

Is it hard to persuade UK firms to come to Guatemala?
AD: As an embassy we don’t underestimate how difficult it can be, especially as Britain doesn’t have the same historical links with Central America as it does with other parts of the world. But the sorts of projects that Guatemala needs ties in with areas of UK expertise. Indeed, there are already some British companies watching events in Guatemala and waiting for projects to become available. Essentially it is a domino effect, because when you get a relatively large British firm winning a contract here then it creates interest in the UK. So far there have been a lack of projects available for investors. Despite having the PPP legislation approved for many years there is just one example – the motorway from Puerto Quetzal to Escuintla – that has been approved. So, things haven’t developed as quickly here as we would have hoped but that doesn’t detract from the significant potential the country holds for UK companies.

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