September 2016 \ Interviews \ INTERVIEW
“Being in India has enhanced my world experience”

H.E. Mr Georges de La Roche, the outgoing Ambassador of Guatemala to India, spoke to Editor Sayantan Chakravarty about being his tenure as the country’s first Head of Mission to India. He had earlier served as his country’s Ambassador to Canada, and as Deputy Ambassador to the USA. The interview was carried out a week before he completed his posting

The India-LAC Conclave was held in 2014 and 2015. Please talk us through the outcome of that in terms of India-Guatemala relations.
Our Foreign Minister was here in 2014 at the conclave put together by FICCI. In fact, this embassy was opened by our foreign minister. Our Minister for Economy was also here. There were high level interactions with the Indian Foreign Minister and the Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry. Commercial treaties were signed. A large business delegation had B2B contacts. In 2015, the conclave was put together by the CII, and the outcome was very positive as well. We had a Vice Minister, this time with a slightly smaller business delegation. CII is looking to export this conclave to Mexico in mid-November and calling on friends from Central America to join in.

What is the presence of Indian companies in Guatemala like?
Chennai-based Caplin Point has a presence in Guatemala, and they are moving into rest of Central and Latin America. Cipla and Emcure Pharmaceuticals are there in the same area. Then there are Bajaj, Mahindra, Kirloskar, and quite a few Indian IT companies that have a footprint worldwide. Hero has established an assembly plant in Guatemala. Businesses see ease of doing business, ease of setting up companies. It is easy to pay taxes in Guatemala. We are the largest economy in Central America with the largest market, highest population, and a strategic geo-graphic position with access to both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. I would not be surprised if Indian business presence increases in Guatemala.

Guatemalan wood, coffee and sugar have potential in Indian market. Are exports of these items from Guatemala to India on the rise?
Not really. Unfortunately my big complaint is that you have a very protected market. We are the largest producers of cardamom in the world, but you put a high tariff on that. You also put tariff and non-tariff barriers on coffee and sugar. More can certainly be done, and this is something we have to look at. The highest import tax in Guatemala on your goods is 25 per cent, and the lowest is zero. It is not fair that you put 70 per cent tax on our items. If you put all the extras together, taxes can go above 100 per cent.




Comments.