The Government of El Salvador, under President Nayib Bukele, held a productive meeting this Tuesday with representatives from the Business Council Alliance for Ibero-America (CEAPI), led by its president, Núria Vilanova. The discussion centered around future investment opportunities aimed at driving economic growth and fostering social impact in the country.

Secretary of Commerce and Investment, Miguel Kattan, emphasized the ongoing reforms that have transformed El Salvador into a more business-friendly environment. “We are not only changing the security landscape but also the entire bureaucratic structure, aiming to create a society open to investments with physical and legal security,” Kattan said.

Vilanova highlighted the importance of having the right partnerships for successful investments, stressing that such ventures should contribute meaningfully to society. She pointed to her meeting with First Lady Gabriela de Bukele as a key moment, noting that investments must have a positive social impact.

The meeting also underscored the government’s efforts to simplify and digitize business procedures, making it easier for entrepreneurs to operate. Key achievements include reducing the time to establish a company from 30 days to 8, streamlining import processes from 40 days to just 3 hours, and cutting down the approval time for Free Trade Zones from 270 to 15 days.

Kattan also detailed the expansion of various incentive laws, such as those supporting Free Trade Zones, renewable energy, innovation, and technology manufacturing, which are designed to attract more investments and create a robust, free economy.

These reforms aim to turn El Salvador into a hub for entrepreneurs, contributing to the economic transformation President Bukele envisions for the country.