A. M. 
Exports from El Salvador grew by 8% in january 2026 compared to the same period of the previous year, reported minister of Economy María Luisa Hayem. The official noted that this result is among the first economic indicators of the year and reflects the dynamism of the country’s productive and commercial activity.
During a radio interview, the head of El Salvador’s Ministry of Economy explained that the increase in exports is related to various measures aimed at stimulating consumption and national production. Among these initiatives, she mentioned programs such as “Quincena 25”, which have contributed to boosting economic activity and, consequently, to increasing production destined for international markets.
Hayem also highlighted the continued role of remittances sent by the salvadoran diaspora, especially from the United States. According to her, the country closed 2025 with an 18% increase in remittances, while the cumulative total between january 2025 and january 2026 shows an increase of nearly 12%, representing a significant flow of resources for the economy and salvadoran households.
Economic growth above forecasts
The minister noted that recent economic performance has even exceeded the estimates of some international organizations. According to her statements, while external analysts projected growth of around 2.5% for 2025, the country may have closed the year with economic expansion close to 4%.
This result, she affirmed, would be particularly significant when compared to the average growth recorded during the three decades prior to President Nayib Bukele’s administration.
Sectors driving economic activity
Among the most dynamic sectors, the minister highlighted the growth of construction, which registered a 27% increase during the third quarter of last year. He explained that the sector maintains positive prospects due to the development of public and private infrastructure projects that continue to drive investment and job creation.
Tourism is also among the sectors with significant growth. International indicators show that El Salvador is among the countries with the greatest increase in international visitor arrivals, a factor that contributes to boosting the economy through consumption, services, and the generation of new business opportunities.
Security and investment climate
The minister of Economy stated that one of the factors influencing economic performance is the improvement in security conditions in the country. She explained that the recovery of public spaces and the ability for people to move around more safely has strengthened labor and business activity.
She also noted that policies aimed at facilitating trade and improving the business environment have sent positive signals to both local and international investors, resulting in new projects and business expansion.
Foreign trade and border logistics
The minister also highlighted progress in border integration with neighboring countries such as Honduras and Guatemala. One of the projects mentioned is the El Amatillo integrated border crossing, inaugurated in 2023, where the salvadoran government invested more than US$26 million to modernize the facilities.
According to Hayem, these improvements have significantly reduced cargo transit times. While previously the passage of a cargo shipment could take up to three days, the process can now be completed in approximately 30 minutes, reducing logistics costs for exporting companies.
In the case of the border with Guatemala, the integration system implemented in 2025 has reduced international transit time from three hours to just three minutes, generating direct benefits for regional trade.
New investment opportunities
The minister explained that the government has also promoted various legal reforms aimed at attracting investment and fostering new productive sectors. Among these, she mentioned modifications to the International Services Law, which have allowed for the establishment of technology projects such as data centers in the country.
She also highlighted the modernization of the Free Trade Zone Law and the implementation of the Law for the Promotion of Innovation and Technology Manufacturing, initiatives that have contributed to the establishment of nearly 90 technology companies in El Salvador over the past two years.
Another relevant piece of legislation is the Law for the Promotion of Investment Expansion, which has already attracted the interest of at least 15 companies seeking to establish or expand operations in the country.
Growth potential in strategic sectors
Finally, Hayem noted that studies conducted with the support of the Tecnológico de Monterrey have identified sectors with high potential for the salvadoran economy. These advances have also been recognized by the Harvard Growth Lab, which, in its Atlas of Economic Complexity, has highlighted the country’s progress in terms of productive and export diversification.
According to the minister, the combination of stability, infrastructure investment, legal reforms, and strengthened foreign trade contributes to consolidating a scenario of sustained growth for the salvadoran economy in the coming years.
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