El Salvador-Guatemala customs integration process moves forward

The heads of Economy of both countries are looking for joint operations at the Anguiatú border post.

Last Wednesday, the Minister of Economy, María Luisa Hayem, held a meeting with her Guatemalan counterpart, Gabriela García, at the Anguiatú border post to follow up on the agreements between both countries to expedite the exchange of goods.

According to Hayem, the vision with these approaches is to integrate the border posts into one to improve trade, since Guatemala is one of the country’s main strategic partners.

In 2023, El Salvador exported more than $1.1 billion to Guatemala, consolidating its position as the second largest export destination market and the first in the region; in the same year, more than $1.5 billion in merchandise was purchased from the neighboring country, making it the third largest supplier of goods.

“We have reiterated to Guatemala the interest that, in the short term, its authorities move to our facilities to operate jointly with the Salvadoran authorities, in order to streamline the exchange of goods,” he said.

In addition, the minister stressed that the integration of the border posts will generate benefits such as the reduction of time and costs in the transfer of products, which will add to the efforts of the administration of President Nayib Bukele to avoid price increases in the basic food basket.

As part of the meeting between officials, which was also attended by representatives of the customs directorates, a tour of the modern facilities of Anguiatú was conducted.

“The neighboring country’s authorities have noted the first-rate infrastructure and technology used by the border post to streamline processes and reduce paperwork,” Hayem added.

Source: Diario El Salvador