{"id":44653,"date":"2026-01-30T18:23:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:23:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zolic2.16.52.107.100.nip.io\/?p=44653"},"modified":"2026-01-30T18:26:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:26:34","slug":"zdeep-engines-of-development-job-creation-and-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zolicguate.com\/en\/las-zdeep-motores-de-desarrollo-generacion-de-empleo-e-innovacion\/","title":{"rendered":"ZDEEP: DRIVERS OF DEVELOPMENT, JOB CREATION, AND INNOVATION"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Public Special Economic Development Zones (ZDEEP) in Guatemala have become drivers of development, generating jobs and innovation. With the creation of these zones, ZOLIC has expanded its reach, transforming the country\u2019s industrial and commercial infrastructure.<\/p>

On Guatemala\u2019s Caribbean coast, in the heart of commerce and industry, lies the \u201cSanto Tom\u00e1s de Castilla\u201d Free Trade and Industrial Zone (ZOLIC), a logistics gem that has been driving the country\u2019s economic development for more than half a century. Since its founding 51 years ago, ZOLIC has been a cornerstone, but the last 15 years have been the most transformative in its history.<\/p>

ZOLIC\u2019s transformation began in 2008 with the approval of amendments to its Organic Law through Decree 22-73. This reform was a watershed moment, allowing for the creation of Special Economic Development Zones (ZDEEP) through Decree 30-2008, expanding ZOLIC\u2019s scope beyond Santo Tom\u00e1s de Castilla to any part of the country.<\/p>

The ZDEEPs are not only areas of opportunity, but also represent a modern vision of economic development.<\/p>

The legal certainty provided by the system has been a magnet for investment. Over the past five years, ZOLIC has seen more than Q550 million invested in the construction of the first Special Zones, creating more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. This investment has not only revitalized the local economy but has also strengthened the country\u2019s industrial, commercial, and logistics infrastructure.<\/p>

As of early 2024, ZOLIC has registered 22 ZDEEPs, of which five are fully operational, nine are awaiting authorization from the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) to begin operations, and another nine are in the process of being approved by ZOLIC\u2019s Board of Directors. These zones are distributed across the departments of Escuintla, San Marcos, Zacapa, and Izabal, encompassing agro-industrial, commercial, and industrial developments.\u00a0<\/p>

\"\"Engineer Byron Gait\u00e1n, General Manager of ZOLIC, stated, \u201cThe creation and expansion of the ZDEEPs are tangible proof of our ability to innovate and adapt to the needs of the global market. We are not only building infrastructure but also sowing the seeds of progress and prosperity for future generations of Guatemalans.\u201d<\/p>

PUMA I<\/strong><\/h3>

It is the oldest ZDEEP, with 11 years of operation, according to Marco Lemus, Puma\u2019s regional operations manager. The country\u2019s strategic location and legal certainty motivated them to invest in Guatemala; they wanted to import and export hydrocarbons, petroleum products, and fuels to Central America and the Americas.<\/p>

At ZDEEP PUMA I, there is a\u00a0terminal with a storage capacity of 1.2 million barrels<\/strong>, during its eleven years of operation,\u00a0have invested US$$10 million<\/strong>\u00a0And according to Lemus, they still have \u201cpotential investments and are not ruling out opening their doors to other clients in the near future as part of the company\u2019s strategy.\u201d.<\/p>

This Development Zone generates\u00a0100 direct jobs<\/strong>\u00a0and the same amount\u2014or a little more\u2014indirectly.<\/p>

QUETZAL FREE ZONE<\/strong><\/h3>

Andr\u00e9s Sandoval, General Manager, Quetzal Free Zone\u00a0highlights an investment of just over Q 200 million<\/strong>\u00a0and the generation of\u00a0280 jobs<\/strong>\u00a0Between direct and indirect jobs, its facilities were just inaugurated in March.<\/p>

He emphasizes that being located 4 kilometers from Puerto Quetzal makes operations much easier, more efficient, and faster. He adds that they have top-quality facilities\u2014warehouses starting at 600 m\u00b2\u2014and a flexible model that adapts to businesses of any size.<\/p>

As additional advantages, it boasts a thriving population of approximately\u00a0150,000 residents<\/strong>\u00a0with varying levels of work capacity, and excellent electrical and water supply services.<\/p>

\"\"<\/p>

GATE OF THE ISTHMUS<\/strong><\/h3>

The Mexico-Guatemala border region has always had enormous potential, as it is the main land trade gateway between North America and Central America, which is why Puerta del Istmo decided to adopt the ZDEEP designation, given the numerous logistical and tax benefits it offers to all companies that set up operations within the Zone, making it Guatemala\u2019s primary tool today for attracting domestic and foreign investment, according to its CEO, Fredy Palma.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

Puerta del Istmo offers state-of-the-art facilities that meet high standards for infrastructure and security, and creates the conditions necessary to ensure our users\u2019 operations remain competitive, given that more than 900 vehicles cross the border daily.<\/p>

It is home to Guatemala\u2019s only Transfer Center, which allows vehicles to enter directly from Mexico into Puerta del Istmo with their Mexican registration plates and in accordance with the weight and dimension standards used in Mexico, thereby reducing border crossing times to 2 hours, making the PDI Transfer Center a significant achievement in facilitating both international and Guatemalan trade.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

Puerta del Istmo has invested to date\u00a0Q154 million quetzales for the development and construction of 46,000 square meters<\/strong>\u00a0in industrial buildings, and as of June 2024, they are investing\u00a0Q 84 million quetzales<\/strong>\u00a0more for the construction of an additional 30,000 square meters of new industrial warehouses.<\/p>

It has generated\u00a01,250 direct jobs<\/strong>\u00a0and around\u00a03,000 indirect jobs<\/strong>, is currently setting up 4 new businesses, which will create an additional 500 direct jobs.<\/p>

MICHATOYA PAC\u00cdFICO<\/strong><\/h3>

Architect Carlos Eddy L\u00f3pez, CEO of ZDEEP Michatoya Pac\u00edfico, notes that positioning the country as a key player in the global industry and international trade, as well as taking advantage of the tax benefits offered by the regime, were reasons for investing in Guatemala.<\/p>

During the first phase of construction,\u00a0The investment totals US$$100 million<\/strong>, but it\u00a0It projects revenue of US$$1,000 million<\/strong>\u00a0and generate\u00a065,000 direct jobs<\/strong>\u00a0and 260,000 indirect jobs, through which they hope to help create decent employment that will contribute to reducing irregular migration to the United States.<\/p>

ZDEEP is located at\u00a030 kilometers from Puerto Quetza<\/strong>It is located 72 from Guatemala City. It is positioned as a world-class logistics hub covering an area of more than 10 million square meters. It is home to the country\u2019s largest, most innovative, and most sustainable ZDEEP, featuring renewable energy, efficient water use, and a nursery with 150,000 native trees.<\/p>

It has its own six-lane connector road linking the CA-9 Puerto Quetzal highway with the CA-2 Oriente highway, designed to streamline transportation logistics.<\/p>

ZOLIC and ZDEEP continue to drive development and progress, reflecting Guatemala\u2019s commitment to a prosperous and sustainable future as part of a history of transformation, innovation, and opportunities throughout the country.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Public Special Economic Development Zones (ZDEEP) in Guatemala have become drivers of development, creating jobs and fostering innovation. With the creation of these zones,..<\/p>","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":44655,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-noticias"],"yoast_head":"\nLAS ZDEEP MOTORES DE DESARROLLO, GENERACI\u00d3N DE EMPLEO E INNOVACI\u00d3N - Zolic<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/zolicguate.com\/en\/zdeep-engines-of-development-job-creation-and-innovation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"LAS ZDEEP MOTORES DE DESARROLLO, GENERACI\u00d3N DE EMPLEO E INNOVACI\u00d3N - Zolic\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Las Zonas de Desarrollo Econ\u00f3mico Especial P\u00fablicas (ZDEEP) en Guatemala se han convertido en motores de desarrollo, generando empleo e innovaci\u00f3n. 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