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El Salvador Advances Toward a Green Future with New Renewable Energy Law and Tax Incentives
El Salvador has taken a new step toward sustainability and energy independence with the approval of the Law for the Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy, a proposal from the Executive Branch designed to strengthen the country’s energy mix and provide citizens with innovative, clean alternatives to meet their electricity needs.
The Legislative Assembly approved the initiative with broad support from the Nuevas Ideas, PCN, and PDC parties. The law, consisting of 15 articles, seeks to encourage the installation of renewable energy systems—both conventional and non-conventional—while enabling their storage and reinjection into the national electricity grid.
The new framework establishes a series of tax incentives and rights for end-users, making renewable energy more accessible for households and businesses. For a period of 10 years, imports, sales, installations, and maintenance of renewable energy generation systems will be exempt from all taxes. These benefits apply to economic activities that involve the importation, marketing, and installation of renewable energy equipment, as well as to maintenance services for these systems.
Oversight will be provided by the General Superintendency of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET), which will regulate requirements and procedures for both suppliers and users. Meanwhile, the Consumer Ombudsman’s Office will ensure that the advantages granted to companies are reflected in better prices and services for consumers.
El Salvador already had a legal framework promoting renewable energy generation, but this new law introduces clearer fiscal benefits and user protections, reinforcing the government’s commitment to sustainable growth and environmental responsibility.
With this legislation, El Salvador continues positioning itself as a regional leader in renewable energy adoption, advancing toward a cleaner, more efficient, and future-ready energy system.
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CBX Global Expands to El Salvador to Boost Economic Growth and Global Logistics
Global logistics leader CBX Global has announced the launch of CBX Global Services, a new business process outsourcing (BPO) operation based in El Salvador that will provide logistics solutions to clients in Latin America, the United States, and China.
The new branch represents a major milestone in CBX Global’s regional expansion plan, reinforcing El Salvador’s growing position as a strategic hub for logistics and global trade.
Joselin Ramos, CEO of CBX Global, highlighted that the decision to establish this new headquarters in El Salvador reflects the country’s competitive advantages, tax incentives, and business stability. “We chose El Salvador as our new headquarters to support operations in different countries. It offers us the right environment to expand our business,” she said.
In its first phase, CBX Global Services will deliver specialized support to the company’s existing global network. A second phase, scheduled for the second half of 2026, will expand services into sales, logistics, accounting, and other corporate functions for external clients worldwide.
The company plans to invest approximately $1.5 million in this initiative, with the long-term objective of making El Salvador its global operations center. Ramos stated that CBX Global aims to lead in back-office services and consulting solutions for industries such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices, improving efficiency, innovation, and compliance with international standards.
Beyond financial growth, CBX Global is investing in human talent as the key driver of success. “We are helping the country recruit more skilled professionals and build a long-term global logistics center in El Salvador, which now offers stability not seen elsewhere in the region,” Ramos emphasized.
She also praised the Salvadoran government’s support for private investment and innovation, noting the agility and collaboration shown during the establishment process. “The government has helped us a lot; I’m very impressed because they expedited the process. They understand that our innovative vision has a great future,” she said.
CBX Global Services begins operations with 29 employees and expects to scale its workforce as demand grows, reinforcing El Salvador’s transformation into a competitive destination for global logistics and business services.
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El Salvador Gears Up for the Holidays with 25 New Openings in San Salvador’s Downtown.
Nearly 25 new businesses are set to open in downtown San Salvador during the final quarter of 2025, according to the Historic Center Planning Authority (APLAN). The expansion aims to capitalize on the commercial demand driven by the holiday season and growing visitor flow to the capital’s revitalized historic district.
APLAN director Adriana Larín confirmed that private investment is accelerating ahead of December. “We have almost 25 inaugurations scheduled for this last quarter. The private sector is moving quickly to be ready for this high-demand season,” Larín said during an interview.
Among the incoming businesses are Elsy’s Cakes and Starbucks, along with popular Mexican restaurant El Zócalo. A major highlight will be the return of the traditional restaurant Pueblo Viejo to the historic center. Pueblo Viejo, which was destroyed by a fire in 2021, later reopened in Santa Tecla and will now operate a new location in a heritage property downtown.
The holiday season is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the area, boosted by the annual “Villa Navideña,” which remains open for four to five weeks from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. In previous years, businesses have reported a strong surge in sales during the event.
As of September 2025, APLAN recorded approximately $170 million in programmed private investment through its single-window system. Individual businesses have invested between $100,000 and $400,000 per establishment. The government also reported at least 30 inaugurations between January and October, many of which were timed to benefit from the upcoming festive season.
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Job Creation in El Salvador Accelerates With New Downtown Hiring Event.
A new round of job opportunities will be made available in El Salvador as more than 400 positions are set to be offered on October 28 at the Historic Center of San Salvador. The announcement was made by the Planning Authority of the Historic Center of San Salvador (APLAN).
APLAN director Adriana Larín explained that the “Oportunidades” job fair will be carried out in coordination with the NGO Cesal. The event will take place at the Hula Hula market’s food court on Tuesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on the building’s fifth level.
“There are more than 400 positions available that people of different ages will be able to apply for,” Larín said during a radio interview. Major companies such as Pizza Hut, Wendy’s, KFC, and Starbucks will participate, in addition to well-known Salvadoran brands including La Clásica and La Dalia.
The Presidential Press Secretariat also confirmed the participation of China Wok, Llaollao, Los Sánchez, helados Sarita, Pollo Campestre, El Peche Cosme, Milenio, Grupo Cardedeu, Comapronto, pan Liliam, and Pipiris Nais.
This is the second edition of the fair. The first was held in June in the same location and also offered 400 vacancies. According to Larín, this new hiring wave is tied to the upcoming Christmas season, although several of the positions will also be permanent. The companies expect strong demand toward the end of the year, especially with the opening of the Villa Navideña in December.
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Holiday Inn Express Expands Presence in El Salvador With Two New Hotels.
Salvador Hotel Corporation (SHC) announced a $20 million investment for the construction of two new Holiday Inn Express hotels, one in the department of San Miguel and the other in La Paz, as part of the country’s growing hospitality sector.
SHC, a partnership between Grupo Palmetto of El Salvador and Guatemala-based Grupo KonKal Holding Ltd., stated that the projects respond to the rapid growth of tourism in the country. Both developments aim to offer modern, efficient lodging and integrate seamlessly with nearby commercial spaces.
The Holiday Inn Express San Miguel will require an investment of $12 million and feature 96 rooms across four floors, occupying a 7,000-square-meter area. The property will be directly connected to the Las Ramblas San Miguel shopping center and is expected to open in the first half of 2027.
Meanwhile, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Comalapa in San Luis Talpa, La Paz, will consist of 72 rooms, including 27 suites, and will be located just three kilometers from El Salvador International Airport. The project will have five floors, cover 4,109 square meters, and is forecasted to begin operations in the first half of 2027.
Miguel Gadala-María, director of Grupo Palmetto, emphasized the strategic importance of the investment, noting that “this alliance represents a strategic commitment to the tourism growth of El Salvador.” He added, “Together we share a clear vision: integrating hotel development with high-impact commercial projects, generating economic opportunities and contributing to the country’s international positioning as a tourist destination.”
SHC holds the local franchise for IHG Hotels & Resorts, which operates more than 20 hotel brands in over 100 countries.
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Bukele: Since They Can’t Criticize What We’re Doing, They Criticize What We Haven’t Done Yet
President Nayib Bukele reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the country’s transformation and infrastructure development, emphasizing that progress takes time and consistent effort. Speaking about recent criticism from opposition groups, the president remarked that many of their arguments focus not on what has been achieved, but on what has not yet been completed.
“Since they can’t criticize what we’re doing, now they criticize what we haven’t done yet,” said President Bukele.
He acknowledged that while the opposition represents a small percentage of the population, they still have the right to express their views. However, he pointed out that critics often highlight unfinished areas instead of recognizing the tangible progress made across the country.
“They go find a place we haven’t been able to fix yet, take photos and videos of what they left behind, and say the government hasn’t changed it. But Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was El Salvador,” the president stated.
Bukele noted that El Salvador’s transformation requires time, planning, and continued investment. Projects such as new bridges, roads, and public spaces are being developed step by step to ensure lasting results.
The president concluded by reiterating his administration’s focus on building a modern, safe, and prosperous El Salvador, one that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens over political interests.
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El Salvador Strengthens Family-Friendly Tourism with New UNWTO Agreement
First Lady Gabriela de Bukele signed a new agreement with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to strengthen family-focused tourism in El Salvador through specialized training for professionals in the sector. The initiative aims to improve service quality and ensure that families visiting the country enjoy safer, more inclusive, and welcoming experiences.
The training will be offered to both public and private sector workers, ensuring that the highest standards of hospitality are implemented across national destinations. The program is part of the government’s broader vision to enhance tourism quality under the framework of the Family Friendly Seal, recently launched in Madrid, Spain.
Through this certification, tourists will be able to identify spaces—such as hotels, restaurants, and parks—that meet the Family Friendly Seal standards, reflecting El Salvador’s commitment to placing families at the center of national development.
This initiative aligns with President Nayib Bukele’s strategy to consolidate El Salvador as a global benchmark in sustainable and family-oriented tourism, while empowering local workers through international cooperation and education.
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El Salvador Launches Family Friendly Seal to Lead Global Family Tourism
During an official meeting in Madrid, Spain, with Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of the agency, First Lady Gabriela de Bukele formally presented El Salvador’s new Family Friendly Seal, along with the first Salvadoran tourist destinations recognized with this distinction.
The presentation marks a historic milestone for the nation, showcasing El Salvador’s leadership in promoting family-centered tourism and reaffirming its commitment to sustainable, inclusive development.
The Family Friendly Seal represents an innovative certification model designed to highlight destinations that prioritize the well-being, safety, and enjoyment of families. Through this initiative, El Salvador becomes a reference point in the global tourism industry, offering visitors a new model that combines quality, culture, and family values.
“This distinction projects to the world a vision of development that puts families at the heart of progress,” the Presidential House stated.
The initiative aligns with the country’s broader strategy to strengthen its image as a safe, welcoming, and culturally rich destination, consolidating the transformation of El Salvador’s tourism sector under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele and First Lady Gabriela de Bukele.
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Faster, Safer Trade: El Salvador’s CIIA Project to Transform Customs Operations.
El Salvador took a significant step toward modernizing its customs operations with the start of construction for the Integrated Customs Intelligence Center (CIIA). The announcement was made by the Director General of Customs, Banjamín Mayorga, on X.
“Alongside Vice President Félix Ulloa and Minister of Finance Jerson Posada, we inaugurated the construction of the Integrated Customs Intelligence Center, a key project for technological transformation and security in our customs,” Mayorga wrote.
The CIIA aims to revolutionize customs management by providing enhanced control and traceability of goods, faster and more secure clearances, and cutting-edge technology to combat smuggling while promoting transparency.
During the groundbreaking event, authorities also signed a strategic alliance with key partners to strengthen the operational and technological capabilities of the Salvadoran Customs, ensuring efficient facilitation and control of foreign trade operations.
“We continue moving toward a modern, agile, and transparent customs system,” Mayorga added, highlighting the government’s commitment to innovation and security in trade management.
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Public Wi-Fi in El Salvador Reaches 100,000 Residents Across Seven Districts.
El Salvador continues its transformation, improving the lives of citizens through enhanced road infrastructure, quality healthcare, tourism development, and now public internet access. The government is bringing connectivity to remote areas that previously lacked satellite equipment.
Today, the Undersecretary of Innovation, Denis Pocasangre, inaugurated a new network as part of the “Connecting El Salvador” project. The initiative provides free high-speed internet to schools, hospitals, and major public parks and plazas. The districts of Ciudad Barrios, Sesori, Nuevo Edén de San Juan, San Luis de la Reina, Carolina, San Antonio del Mosco, and Chapeltique in San Miguel Norte now enjoy this service.
“We are covering seven districts to reach a total of 84 public spaces nationwide and 33 municipalities. We are directly benefiting nearly 100,000 residents. Since the project started, we have recorded 20 million connections across the country,” Pocasangre said.
He emphasized the importance of public spaces for technology access, stating that the initiative supports the government’s goal of making El Salvador a technological hub while providing citizens with essential tools for sustainable development.
“We know that today, internet access is essential for carrying out any activity. President Bukele has asked us to provide everyone with the tools to perform in the digital world,” he added.
The government sees reducing the digital divide as vital, noting that satellite internet access in public spaces opens opportunities for education, social transformation, and an improved quality of life for Salvadorans.