Guatemala - Economics

The Guatemalan economy holds a great productive capability. At the beginning of the Twentieth century the coffee exports linked the Guatemalan economy to the world market. By then coffee was consolidated as the main staple in the economy, as well as great scale export products like sugar cane and rubber.

During the nineties and after the signature of the peace accords with the guerrilla at the end of 1996, the Guatemalan economy experienced a positive reaction that in 1996 set the GDP growth at the 3.1% rate in spite of the huge drawback of the external debt.

The main industries are tourism, sugar, textile and clothing, furniture, chemical products, petroleum, metals, rubber.

The main agricultural products are sugar cane, corn, banana, coffee, bean, cardamom, and livestock.
Important Facts:
-The GDP is US$ 5,308,000 and its growth rate is 3.7%.
-The export and services income is US$ 6,994,000
-The main export trade partners are: United States (56.0%), El Salvador (8.5%), Costa Rica (8.5%), Costa Rica (8.5%); Germany (2.7%).
-The import and services spending is US$6,542,000
-The main import trade partners are: United States (36.9 %), Mexico (11.1%), South Korea (7.5%), El Salvador (6.1%)
- The direct (net) foreign investment is US$114,000,000
-The inflation rate in 2002 was 6.33%
The average exchange rate for the Quetzal to the United States Dollar
Effective Nov. 6th. 2003 Buy: Q 8.11696 Sell: Q 8.14210

 

Coffee separation - photo by Gordon Kilgore - Maya Expeditions !

GUATEMALA INFORMATION
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