Stimulating the Guatemalan economy through the Japanese Cooperation Agency

By Mayora IP

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) endorsed the projects that Guatemala has been carrying out with its support in the latest meeting between the two parts organized on March 13 in Guatemala City. In the meeting, JICA representatives delivered to government authorities a follow-up report of the Local Industries Promotion Project (PROFIL) carried out by the Ministry of Economy of Guatemala.

The feedback allows JICA to continue providing technical cooperation and other forms of aid to Guatemala, promoting economic and social development in the country through the dispatch of experts, the training of local officials and the supply of equipment and financial assistance.

The Local Industries Promotion Project is part of One Village One Product (OVOP), a development strategy that stimulates local economy. Originally pioneered in Oita Prefecture in Japan, the idea behind the concept is that each of the 340 municipalities of Guatemala should have at least one competitive product that is distinctively its own to offer to the market. 

To date, the the Ministry of Economy has promoted the OVOP movement in 11 municipalities: Antigua Guatemala, Chichicastenango, Quiché, San Juan Comalapa Chimaltenango, Esquipulas, Huehuetenango, Jalapa, Salamá Baja Verapaz, San Cristóbal Totonicapán, Sololá and Valle Palajunoj Quetzaltenango.