Between remittances and foreign investment, the increase in foreign exchange continues in the country
The last report of the exchange balance released yesterday by the central bank reported that the income of foreign currency from family remittances grew 21% from January to September of this year, reaching US$13 thousand 321.3 million, which is equivalent to about Q102 thousand 571 million, money most of which is destined for home consumption.
In the same period last year, the amount was US$11,080 million, which means that up to September, US$2,313 million more had entered. Likewise, for nine consecutive months, the monthly flow remains above US$1 billion, and only in September it stood at US$1,597.2 million.
Although the indicator started with a growth rate of 30% in January, as of September it was 21% and continues to slow down, mainly considering that 2021 was an outstanding year in foreign currency income from remittances, marking a growth rate of 34.9% and an amount of US$15 thousand 295 million.
The closing forecast for this year indicates that the total could reach US$17 thousand 590 million (between 13.5% and 16.5% increase) and in 2023, US$18 thousand 645 million, for a growth of 4.5% to 7.5%. , according to the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat).
Investment flows
On the other hand, Guatemala attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for US$480 million as of last June, with companies from Colombia, the United States, Mexico and Luxembourg being the most interested in continuing to invest in the country.
Central bank statistics detail that Colombian capital was registered until June for US$96.6 million; from the US, US$94.5 million; from Mexico, US$89.6 million; and from Luxembourg, US$74.5 million.
As for the Central American region, Panama stands out for US$63.7 million and Honduras with US$15.9 million.
By activities, most of the resources are allocated to the trade and repair of vehicles for US$144.6 million; financial and insurance activities, US$124.1 million; and manufacturing industries, US$104.9 million.
low confidence
However, the confidence index of economic activity (Icae), stood at 49.58 points and although the indicator is slightly higher than the 46.09 points of August, it is below the 50 points that indicate a negative perception about the future of productive activity.
The Icae measures the perception of economic agents, to make decisions related to the business and investment climate in the country, in the short and medium terms.
