CABEI promotes US$510.2 million in health, security, justice and MIPYMES reactivation projects in Guatemala
Non-reimbursable cooperations recently granted by CABEI has helped the country respond to emergencies caused by COVID-19 and natural disasters, as well as to generate opportunities in railroad infrastructure and urban mobility.
Guatemala City, March 26th, 2021.- In order to improve access to health care services for the rural population, strengthen the administration of justice and support the economic reactivation process of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) is promoting projects in Guatemala in the amount of US$510.2 million.
One of these is the Hospital Infrastructure and Equipment Investment Program, which has begun its disbursement phase to carry out technical and pre-investment studies for the construction, expansion, and equipment of five national hospitals located in Alta Verapaz, Chiquimula, Jutiapa, Mazatenango, and Sololá, which will benefit more than 6.6 million people.
In addition, the Justice Sector Investment and Modernization Program will support the construction of peace courts, police stations, detention centers and other infrastructure, complemented by the acquisition of equipment and machinery required to improve justice administration and the prosecution of crime, which will cover the country's 22 departments.
In a press conference, CABEI Executive President, Dr. Dante Mossi, highlighted: "In addition to the investment operations with the public and private sectors, CABEI has provided Guatemala with grant resources of over US$2.2 million to support the country's efforts to address the health emergency, mitigate the effects of storms ETA and IOTA, strengthen financing for MIPYMEs and identify opportunities for railroad infrastructure and urban mobility.”
On the other hand, it was explained that through the Support Facility for MIPYMEs affected by COVID-19 and through financial institutions, CABEI has disbursed US$17.0 million to attend to the working capital needs of micro and small enterprises that operate at the national level and that are dedicated to commerce, production of the agri-food chain, construction, among other sectors affected by the pandemic.
Interventions in Guatemala are framed within CABEI's 2020-2024 Institutional Strategy "Human Development and Social Inclusion" and "Sustainable Competitiveness," which aim to generate social capacities that contribute to improving the well-being and quality of life of the Central American population, and to intervene in the strengthening of the economic, social, and institutional factors that determine regional competitiveness.