(Originally published on 12/Sep/2025)
In western Guatemala, just 3 kilometers from the largest border with Mexico and 500 meters from the Tecún Umán II Customs Office, operates the ZDEEP Special Public Economic Development Zone “Zona Libre Puerta del Istmo”, which redefines how the country connects with the world. Since it began operations just four years ago, it has established itself as the true logistical gateway for regional trade.
“Puerta del Istmo's location is its greatest asset. We are where Guatemala's most dynamic border with Mexico begins, and that allows us to be the natural point of connection between Central America and North America,” says Fredy Palma, general manager of Puerta del Istmo Free Zone.
Today, the ZDEEP is home to six world-class users with activities ranging from auto parts manufacturing, agro-industrial products, a food and beverage distribution logistics center, and a steel industry.
“The fact that global companies such as Yazaki and Ambev choose us confirms that the west of the country is no longer just exporting products: it is also attracting world-class investment,” emphasizes Palma.
With the only Transfer Station in Guatemala, which is a historic achievement for our country, it allows users of Puerta del Istmo to enter Mexican transportation, vans, containers and dredges with Mexican license plates directly to the zone. It also allows the entry of fulles and authorizes the entry of transports with weights and dimensions that circulate in Mexico (higher than those established in the Weights and Dimensions Regulation of Guatemala).
“It reduces customs operation times, we crossed 25 double trailer units of 64 tons each in three hours, we are working on the implementation of the Guatemala-Mexico Joint Customs, which streamlines customs procedures, reducing waiting times and optimizing the transport of goods,” said Fredy Palma.
The results confirm it: more than US $$60 million in cumulative investment, more than 1,200 direct jobs and a growth of 10,000 square meters of industrial buildings per year, custom-designed for production operations, distribution centers and specialized logistics processes.
Transformation moving forward
The future is also underway. The ZDEEP plans to double its infrastructure in the next three years. Last August, construction began on 30,000 more square meters of industrial buildings, which will be ready for use by the end of 2026.
Puerta del Istmo will create the first Multimodal Railway Terminal in Guatemala, which aims to facilitate trade, making the overland transportation of goods between Guatemala and North America more efficient.
Achieving this rail interconnection between Guatemala and Mexico will turn the Guatemalan border region into a Central American logistics hub for the region's main logistics chains, creating economic development and generating formal employment.
The developers of this ZDEEP have also opted for sustainable initiatives such as renewable energy systems, which is why they are building a 30 megawatt solar park, designed to guarantee clean and competitive energy to its users.
The nearshoring and industrial relocation are redrawing the map of global production and ZDEEP Puerta del Istmo emerges as the ideal space for companies seeking efficiency, proximity to the United States and a natural connection to Mexico and Central America.
Today, the border is no longer a limit. With Puerta del Istmo, the border becomes an opportunity.
“Guatemala has a unique window to attract global investment, and Puerta del Istmo is part of that response. We are ready to welcome industrial, commercial, service or mixed companies that want to grow with efficiency, competitiveness and support. We invite investors to meet us and discover the potential that Puerta del Istmo Free Zone offers to take their operations to the next level,” concludes Fredy Palma, general director of Puerta del Istmo Free Zone.
