The Minister of Economy, María Luisa Hayem, has affirmed that El Salvador’s economy remains strong and diversified, highlighting growth in various sectors and continued reinvestment by both local and international companies. This progress aligns with President Nayib Bukele’s economic vision for the country’s current five-year term.
According to Minister Hayem, foreign trade—comprising exports and imports—along with investment, continues to demonstrate resilience and dynamism. She underscored the momentum seen in new investments and business expansions, citing several significant developments. These include Neoen’s new investment in the energy sector, the construction of a new shopping mall in La Libertad, the establishment of a free trade zone in San Vicente, the expansion of DHL’s logistics warehouse, and increased investment from the electricity distributor DelSur.
“We are seeing that despite the constant changes in the world, the good news is that our economy remains strong and diversified in the products we send to the world, in the sectors that are growing domestically, and in the new investments being made in the country,” Minister Hayem stated.
The Minister also emphasized the strong bilateral relationship between El Salvador and the United States as a crucial factor in attracting investment. This partnership, she noted, enhances investor confidence and serves as a competitive advantage for businesses considering El Salvador as an investment destination.
“The fact that we maintain this strong relationship with the United States today also adds the certainty that we as a government can provide to companies,” she remarked.
Beyond its international partnerships, El Salvador offers social and legal security, as well as a favorable business climate. Minister Hayem pointed out that these factors, along with improvements in national security and advancements in digitalization, have been key in positioning the country as an attractive hub for investors.
“El Salvador is growing stronger every day and is positioning itself as a country where companies can establish themselves and then expand to more than 40 destinations around the world, including the United States,” she added.
Additionally, she noted that some investors had been closely monitoring the country’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The recent agreement with the IMF, she stated, has played a pivotal role in shaping business confidence and economic perceptions.
“For some companies, it was also important to know that this agreement with the IMF was in place, which marks a turning point in how companies viewed the country’s economic dynamics,” she explained.
In conclusion, Minister Hayem highlighted that by 2024, the country’s economic progress had facilitated the establishment of 5,300 new companies across various sectors. More than 45 of these were registered under the Law for the Promotion of Innovation and Manufacturing of Technologies, further solidifying El Salvador’s position as a growing economic hub in the region.