El Salvador’s efforts to improve public safety are beginning to show tangible results, particularly for families who once lived under the shadow of gang violence. The Territorial Control Plan and the ongoing state of exception have opened new opportunities for economic growth and stability, especially in historically troubled neighborhoods.
According to Paul Steiner, president of El Salvador’s National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises (CONAMYPE), the country is witnessing a notable increase in the number of small businesses, a trend strongly linked to the enhanced security situation. “What we’re seeing is a strong creation of new businesses, especially microenterprises in neighborhoods,” said Steiner. “Just to give an example, in Apopa, there has been a 227% increase in neighborhood stores. In 2018, there were about 450; by the end of 2023, there were more than 1,550.”
This transformation, Steiner explains, is driven by a dramatic drop in extortion, homicides, and crime, which has encouraged people to invest their money in their communities. In response to this growth, the government has prioritized support for micro and small businesses, which make up 99.6% of the country’s enterprises.
“President Bukele gave us funding that no other president had granted to CONAMYPE,” Steiner added. Two trust funds have been established: FECAMYPE and PROGRAMYPE. FECAMYPE provides up to $250,000 in loans for small businesses rejected by traditional banks and up to $100,000 for women entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, PROGRAMYPE helps those lacking loan guarantees by offering partial guarantees to support their investment and operations.
These measures underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring that improved security translates into real economic opportunities for Salvadoran families.