Message by Her Excellency Shirley Dennise Aguilar Barrera
Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to the Kingdom of Thailand
on the auspicious occasion of the 203rd Anniversary of the National Day of Guatemala
It is an honor for me to deliver this message on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Guatemala on the occasion of the commemoration of the 203rd anniversary of the Independence of our beautiful Guatemala. Today, as I have the privilege of representing my country in the Kingdom of Thailand, I wish to express the joy I feel seeing our flag being raised in friendly countries.
Committed to the progress of diplomatic relations between Guatemala and Thailand, which celebrated 67 years in 2024, starting on March 7, 1957, nothing excites us more than continuing efforts to build new bridges of friendship and cooperation paving the way for our alliances and ensure a prosperous future for both nations. This is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala has based its work on respect and dedication, principles that have allowed its Diplomatic Corps to be positioned in strategic locations around the world.
Since the reopening of the Diplomatic Mission in December 2019, we have worked diligently to create new opportunities for both Guatemala and Thailand. The Embassy plays a crucial role in the official representation of our country in Southeast Asia, as it facilitates direct communication with the Thai government and other accredited diplomatic missions in Bangkok. This representation is vital for promoting bilateral relations and foreign policy, cultural exchange, as well as exploring cooperation opportunities in various areas and ensuring economic growth. A testament to this is the scope of bilateral trade, which has exceeded USD $220 million.
Our Guatemalan community continues to grow in Asia, and considering the wonderful destination that Thailand is, I am confident that many more people will soon seek to visit this beautiful country. We are also very pleased to announce that Guatemala is now included in the visa exemption list to travel to Thailand, and this is undoubtedly evidence of the positive results of all the hard work done over the years.
Guatemala is a rich country in traditions, languages, and festivities. Among its wealth, we also find key sectors driving the economy, such as agroindustry, processed foods, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, clothing and textiles, mixed manufacturing, electrical and electromechanical products, tourism, business services, and contact centers, information technology stands out as the leading export.
There is still a long way to go, but there is no doubt that both countries are making progress toward continuing to open doors for the growth of exports and imports, benefiting economic development. On the occasion of our Independence celebration, I wish to express my gratitude to the Kingdom of Thailand for its openness in strengthening our bonds of friendship, reflecting a promising growth in economic areas, cultural exchange, and ongoing cooperation. This successful collaboration reaffirms our commitment to continue building the connections that will advance our bilateral relations.
Shirley Dennise Aguilar Barrera,
Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to the Kingdom of Thailand.
