During the launch of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) World Trade and Tech Day, El Salvador’s Minister of Economy, María Luisa Hayem, highlighted the country’s rapid integration of artificial intelligence into core economic sectors. Speaking alongside WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and ministers from Singapore, Iceland, and Jamaica, Hayem detailed how AI-driven solutions are already streamlining trade facilitation, logistics, financial services, call centers, and textile manufacturing across the nation.
The presentation underscored key regulatory and institutional milestones established under President Nayib Bukele, including the 2026 National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Agency, and the enactment of specialized tech development legislation. “All of this, combined with enhanced security and a favorable business climate, positions El Salvador as a emerging hub where companies developing AI solutions can launch and establish operations,” Hayem stated.
This global exposure aligns with El Salvador’s broader strategy to modernize public infrastructure and education through technology. The government recently announced an 18-month national initiative designed to provide AI tools, specialized training, and continuous support to school teachers, embedding tech literacy at every level of society.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform global supply chains and financial markets, El Salvador is aggressively positioning itself to attract foreign direct investment and high-tech enterprises. By pairing proactive regulatory frameworks with improved domestic security, the country aims to establish a competitive digital economy capable of serving both regional and international markets.