Strengthening its outreach to prospective US investors in Central America, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (Opic) and the Investment Promotion Agency of Guatemala have concluded an agreement to enhance cooperation between the two agencies and better inform US small businesses about Opic programmes in the country.

OPIC president and CEO Robert Mosbacher and Ruben Morales, executive director of Invest in Guatemala, signed a memorandum of understanding establishing an outreach programme to be implemented by a joint working group drawn from the two agencies.

Specifically, Opic staff members will train Invest in Guatemala personnel to inform prospective US small business investors of Opic programmes and services, screen potential investors and projects, and disseminate information on Opic support for projects in Guatemala’s franchising, housing and agribusiness sectors.

“Guatemala, and Central America generally are dynamic emerging markets that US small businesses should consider in their expansion plans. As Guatemala’s investment climate continues to improve, lucrative opportunities await American companies that invest now,” Mosbacher says.

“Opic’s partnership with Invest in Guatemala will inform far greater numbers of US small businesses about our programmes than Opic could reach alone, so we expect a significant number of projects to result from today’s initiative,” Mosbacher adds.