What is Invest Guatemala, who runs it and what services does it provide?

Invest Guatemala presents itself on its website as the private investment promotion agency that positions the country as a strategic destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). According to its website, it offers free support services to investors: information on opportunities and sectors; facilitation of regulations, tax incentives and free trade agreements; identification of prospective local partners and allies; information on facility location; accompaniment throughout the investment process; and coordination with private chambers, ministries and public institutions. The sectors menu on its website lists agro-industry, apparel and textiles, life sciences, the services industry, food and beverages, and manufacturing; its home page also features contact center and BPO, creative industries, IT outsourcing and tourism. Its executive director is Juan Esteban Sánchez; according to Forbes Centroamérica (1 September 2025), he is of Colombian origin, has experience at ProColombia and returned to Guatemala in 2023 to take over the leadership of Invest Guatemala. According to that interview, Invest Guatemala is part of the Guatemala No Se Detiene initiative as an investment attraction agency; planning for the initiative began in 2021 and execution from 2022. Invest Guatemala's website describes Guatemala No Se Detiene (Guatemala Moving Forward) as a government program developed in collaboration with the private sector and as a collaborative project directed by the Ministry of Economy and PRONACOM, with involvement from the Ministries of Public Finances and Foreign Affairs, the Bank of Guatemala, the Municipality of Guatemala, FUNDESA and AGEXPORT; according to PRONACOM (release of 17 February 2021), the 'Guatemala No se Detiene' agreement was signed by MINECO, MINFIN, MINEX, BANGUAT, the Municipality of Guatemala, AGEXPORT and FUNDESA. It is a separate entity from the public agency: in the interview Sánchez speaks of supporting 'no solo a Invest Guatemala, sino también a la nueva agencia pública' (not only Invest Guatemala but also the new public agency), and PRONACOM directs enquiries about the services of the Agencia Nacional de Atracción de Inversión to proguatemala@mineco.gob.gt. Address published on its website: 15 Av. 14-72 zone 13, Guatemala City; website investguatemala.com.