Portada LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Modernization

The Program for the Modernization and Fortification of the Executive Branch and Public Administration (PMFOE, in Spanish), is currently being discussed publicly, due to the beginning of the process of privatization. Decisions taken until today have visible short term effects, which attract the attention of locals and foreigners. However, the PMFOE promises to be much more than a simple sale of stock. The goal is to transform the role of the State to make it the pivot of modernization, as stated in Article 118 of the Constitution.

One of the greatest challenges faced by the modernizing agents, and maybe the most vital, consists of communicating the established goals and principles effectively. Without clarity and transparency, it will be hard to earn the population's support to achieve change.

In contrast with the quetzal, bird in danger of extinction and national symbol, the quetzal-currency threatens to become a plague and trigger the inflationary process. In the Finance and Money section, Marcos Ibargüen takes on this problem from a fresh perspective.

Whether we like it or not, the world suffers from so-called "disloyal commerce practices": dumping, subsidies, and the violation of intellectual property. In this edition, we present everything you always wanted to know about this topic, but were afraid to ask. As an example, Mexico has become the great league champion in this type of litigation.

To close, we present the instant and frozen food manufacturer, "ˇYa Está!", the masterpiece of an outstanding Guatemalan inventor.

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March, 1997