(Originally published on July 21, 2025)
With a 52-year history, the Free Industrial Zone and
The “Santo Tomás de Castilla” store (ZOLIC) is a pioneer in Guatemala in the
Free Trade Zone program. From its government-owned facility in Izabal, it currently operates
with 51 active users, which demonstrates its strength as a platform for
investment, employment, and economic development.
Aerial view of the government property in
ZOLIC.
Thanks to Decree 30-2008, ZOLIC now has the authority to
authorize and establish Public Special Economic Development Zones
ZDEEP, a strategic expansion of the model that aims to decentralize
opportunities and meet the growing demand for competitive spaces for
attracting new investment.
Promoting ZDEEP is key to expanding its impact
extending the success of the ZOLIC program to more regions of the country, creating conditions
favorable for nearshoring, logistics growth, and development
inclusive industry.
What Are ZDEEPs and Why Are They Strategic?
ZDEEPs are defined geographic areas within the
national territory; its main objective is to decentralize investment,
to promote economic growth outside major urban centers and
facilitate the establishment of operations in safe and competitive environments.
Currently, Guatemala has 17 authorized ZDEEPs: 6 in
operation; 11 pending authorization by the Superintendency of
Tax Administration (SAT) as a Civil Service Assistant
Aduanera and 4 under evaluation.
ZDEEPs are strategic because they integrate multiple
objectives on a single platform: creating formal jobs, attracting
domestic and foreign investment, expansion of productive infrastructure, and
logistical strengthening.
Its legal framework provides legal certainty to investors,
which allows for long-term planning.
ZDEEPs are strategic because they integrate multiple
objectives on a single platform: creating formal jobs, attracting
domestic and foreign investment, expansion of productive infrastructure, and
logistical strengthening.
In a global context marked by nearshoring, Guatemala
It is positioning itself as an attractive destination, and the ZDEEPs offer ideal conditions
to set up operations near North American markets, but without the
high costs in other, more developed economies.
In a Public Special Economic Development Zone,
The following activities can be carried out: production, manufacturing,
processing, assembly, marketing, distribution, storage,
preservation, packaging, repackaging, handling, sorting, and
any other transaction involving goods for import or export.
Distinctive Tax and Logistical Benefits
Companies operating within a ZDEEP have access to
tax incentives such as:
The tax benefits offered by the ZDEEP program are
translate into real benefits for investors.
The 100% income tax exemption during
The first 10 years allow for the reinvestment of profits into growth, while
The exemption from VAT, DAI, and other import duties reduces
significantly reduce operating costs from day one.
In addition, the VAT exemption for transactions within the zone and for
Tax stamps on related contracts provide greater financial flexibility and
administrative streamlining. Added to this is a key element for the
logistics security: goods will not be abandoned as long as there is a
a current contract, which provides legal certainty and continuity to the
operations.
Taken together, these incentives make ZDEEPs
highly competitive platforms for setting up, expanding, or relocating
operations with a long-term perspective.
In terms of logistics, ZDEEP offers:
- Location
strategic, with access to ports on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. - Branches
internal customs procedures to streamline foreign trade. - Infrastructure
modern and perimeter security. - Simplification
customs and operational procedures.
These advantages make ZDEEPs ideal platforms
for activities such as exporting, assembly, logistics, agribusiness, or
light manufacturing.
Positive Impact of the ZDEEPs
More than 13,000 direct and indirect jobs created.
US$: 80 million in cumulative investment, and growing.
41 companies currently operate out of a ZDEEP.
Guatemala has more than 6 million square meters
approved as non-customs areas within the ZDEEP, of which 4,798,204 meters
square meters are already in operation. Nearly one million more square meters
are awaiting authorization from the SAT.
Each zone has been designed to attract domestic investment and
international, complying with technical standards and meeting needs
logistics, industrial, and commercial.
ZDEEPs in Operation and Their Impact
ZDEEP PUMA I
With 12 years of operation, it is the oldest ZDEEP.
Located in Puerto de San José (Escuintla), it specializes in the importation and
export of hydrocarbons and fuels. It has a terminal for
storage capacity for 1.2 million barrels and an initial investment of US$$10
millions.
PUMA II has recently been approved and will be located
two kilometers from the first one.
ZDEEP Puma I.
ZDEEP QUETZAL FREE ZONE
After one year in operation, located 4 km from Puerto Quetzal,
It has 1,150,719 square meters of approved space, with 77,000 square meters in
use. It is home to 18 users operating in sectors such as auto parts, solar energy,
logistics and trade. Its initial investment totals US$$10 million.
ZDEEP Quetzal Free Zone.
ZDEEP PUERTA DEL ISTMO
Located on the border with Mexico, it stands out as a
key logistics hub. With 4 years of operation in an area of 202,551 meters
Cuadrados is home to 6 users engaged in manufacturing operations,
agribusiness and food and beverage distribution. It has the only
Transfer Hub in a ZDEEP: A Key Strategy That Adds Value
contributed to facilitating the shipment of goods from Mexico to its users. Its
The initial investment is US$$30 million.
ZDEEP Free Zone Puerta del
Isthmus.
ZDEEP MICHATOYA PACIFIC
With more than 10 million square meters
authorized, it is a world-class logistics hub. It is home to 15 companies from
various sectors and has a six-lane private highway that connects
two major national routes. The initial investment amounts to US$$23
millions.
ZDEEP
Michatoya Pacific.
ZDEEP GREEN HONEY
It is the first agro-industrial ZDEEP, located in Río
Hondo, a department in Zacapa, in the eastern region of the country, specializing in
processing and conversion of Stevia leaves into a sweetener
natural, which is then exported. It covers 23,544 square meters and
It represents an investment of US$$3.3 million.
ZDEEP Green Honey.
How to Create a ZDEEP
The process begins with a request to ZOLIC to transfer a
property under lease or usufruct. Although ownership remains with the
As the developer, ZOLIC is granted the authority to operate the area.
The following documents are required: legal identification, RTU
updated, certificate from the Land Registry, georeferenced plans
and proof of tax compliance. If the property has multiple owners, they must
Submit the application jointly.
ZOLIC provides support throughout the entire process,
ensuring that every ZDEEP meets the technical, legal, and
infrastructure.
How to Become a ZDEEP User
Individuals or legal entities may apply for their
We register as users by submitting a letter addressed to the General Manager of
ZOLIC, with information on economic activity and lease term
(at least one year) and the estimated number of jobs to be created.
The requirements include official forms, documents
legal documents, financial statements, feasibility studies, environmental permits, and
sectoral. The environmental permit must also be filed with the
Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARN).
Final approval will be granted by the Board of Directors of
ZOLIC.
The procedure is designed to ensure certainty
legal, technical safety, and environmental feasibility.
ZDEEPs promote economic growth and reduce
regional disparities, formalize employment, and boost international competitiveness
in the country.
With a robust legal framework, clear incentives, and broad
geographical availability, represent a unique opportunity for those who
are looking to make long-term investments in Guatemala.
Would you like to learn more about ZDEEP?
If you or your company are interested in learning more
Describe the regulations governing Public Special Economic Development Zones
(ZDEEP) in Guatemala, the benefits it offers, and how to access them,
We are making our institutional channels available to you.
You can email us at infomercadeo@zolicguate.com
Call us at +502 7961 5460
WhatsApp to 3572 9422
You can visit our official website www.zolicguate.com, where you'll find
up-to-date information, requirements, official documents, and news about the
ZDEEP's progress in the country.
We're just a text or a call away. Always
You'll receive personalized service through any of our channels