Burbuchá will be a local, innovative and new concept located at the biggest private university in Central America where its students have an income between US$600 and US$1,200 providing a high quality product with locally produced and imported goods in order to provide the traditionally recognized Taiwanese drinks adjusted to the local taste. Burbuchá expects to open two kiosks during the first year at the two most important universities in the country and it also expects to penetrate 7% of the market by using among other strategies social media and vibrant promotions to foster trial and boost sales. Burbuchá will set a price below the ones of the coffee shops mainly because the main purpose is to increase the willingness of a market that is a coffee consumer to shift and try the tea based beverages. The initial investment required is US$ 61,390.00 which is going to be funded from the owner’s capital and a bank loan. Burbuchá kioks has a positive Net Present Value which indicates that the project is feasible. Burbuchá expects to expand to other markets in a period of 3 to 5 years through the franchise system. Its priority markets in the region are El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama.

This paper provides an analysis on Financial Inclusion and a set of indicators to understand how adults in Guatemala manage their finances. The data shows that only 22 percent of the adult population has an account at a legitimate financial institution. In addition, 25 percent of adults report having saving habits but only 10 percent do it at a legitimate financial institution. Physical distance is a key factor in achieving Financial Inclusion in the country as the most common barrier for the use of financial products is the lack of financial service branches in many regions, especially in the northern part of the country. The purpose of this research was to find a method that could be implemented in Guatemala in order to introduce underserved people into the legitimate financial system. Special analysis was made on the Correspondent Banking model and it was found to be one of the most successful methods employed to improve access and usage of financial services in many countries. This branchless banking strategy can play a significant role in ensuring universal access to financial services, and be a cost-effective strategy for financial institutions to increase their customer base. Guatemala can use this current opportunity to guide its economic strategy towards the reduction of poverty, economic improvement and mitigation of some of the worst effects of being financially excluded.

中美洲具有關鍵地理位置，這裡有世界最大的進口量，然而，這特殊的地理位置同時具有好處和其挑戰。本論文旨在分析瓜地馬拉在特殊政治環境和經濟政策的背景之下，簽訂中美洲自由貿易協定之後，其對瓜地馬拉的影響。本論文也比較瓜地馬拉和其他中美洲國家出口至美國的情形，進一步了解出口的多樣化過程。本研究旨在評估在簽訂此區域自由貿易協定十年後所帶來的改變，並且分析中美洲自由貿易協定作為和美國市場交易途徑的保證，來保護瓜地馬拉當地的經濟安全。 / The Central American countries have a key geopolitical location; they are located in the same continent as the world’s largest importer. Having a privileged geographic position, has come with it challenges and benefits. This thesis intends to analyze the impact of the Dominican Republic –Central America Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Contemplating Guatemala’s particular political motivations and economic incentives to sign this regional Free Trade Agreement. This paper also intends to compare Guatemala’s exports performance to the United States with the rest of the Central America, to analyze the exports performance, in order to determine patters and visualize the export diversification process. This will be done to evaluate this regional Free Trade Agreement performance ten years after its signature. Followed by an analysis on the DR-CAFTA as a mechanism that promotes Guatemala’s economic security by guaranteeing the best access possible to the United States market