The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched a “Regional Trade and Investment Project” with an investment of $26 million. The objective is to foster export-led economic growth and integration among El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, promoting development opportunities throughout the region.
The main objective of this initiative is to strengthen regional economic integration and generate employment. With the promotion of both foreign and local investments, it is expected to improve the productive capacity of the three countries, especially under the nearshoring model, which links Central America with strategic markets such as the United States. This strategy seeks to optimize intra-regional value chains and facilitate trade, which will translate into greater competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Among the main pillars of the project are the deepening of the customs union and regional integration, as well as the digitalization of trade processes. The project will also work to improve trade policies and modernize regulations, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the private export sector and facilitating access to financing and investment in the region.
Over the next five years, the project is expected to train more than 600 customs officials and achieve a 30% increase in exports by the companies involved. The project also aims to mobilize US$100 million in investments, of which US$30 million will be earmarked for clean energy projects, thus reducing costs and trade times in the region.
USAID will also provide technical assistance through activities to optimize border management and coordination. The project will streamline customs processes by strengthening the capacity of government agencies responsible for trade. In addition, small-scale infrastructure will be financed to reduce congestion at the main border crossings, thereby improving the flow of trade.
USAID’s “Regional Trade and Investment Project” will be carried out in collaboration with the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) and the ministries of economy and customs authorities of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, within the framework of the Regional Trade Facilitation Strategy and the Central American Deep Integration Process.
A. M. 
