UK delegation seeks to enhance trade with Guatemala through competitive financing
A delegation from the UK’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance (UKEF) is in Guatemala on 15 July to explore the market and scope projects it can support.
UKEF provides competitive financing to British companies to trade internationally and to overseas buyers of UK goods and services to facilitate access to the UK’s high-quality supply chain. The delegation consists of Emma Thomas, Co-Head of Global Business Origination George Hames, Regional Head of Business Origination for the Americas and Gerson Pérez, Country Head for Central America, and the Dominican Republic.
The delegation will meet with senior representatives of government agencies, the private sector, and regional finance institutions. Amongst these, the Ministry of Finance, the National Agency of Alliances for the Development of Infrastructure (ANADIE), the Construction Chamber and the Central American Bank of Economic Integration (CABEI).
Delegates will learn about public and private infrastructure projects that could benefit from UKEF’s services, including the Guatemalan Government’s plans for the international airport, modernisations of ports, construction of state buildings, metros and more. UKEF-backed loans have helped governments and businesses to secure financing for projects worldwide and it has £4-5 billion of untapped market capacity for Guatemala.
The British Ambassador to Guatemala, Nick Whittingham, said:
With significant market capacity to finance priority public investment priorities through UK Export Finance, the UK welcomes Guatemala’s government willingness to embrace transparent, efficient, and open infrastructure projects and leverage the strength of the UK supply chain to do so.
UK Export Finance works alongside the Department for Business and Trade and with over 100 private credit insurers and lenders to help UK companies access export finance.