AGEXPORT, through its Business Sustainability Department, will focus in 2020 on women empowerment. For it, this Department will develop initiatives to increase women participation in decision-making processes as well as promote a culture of equal opportunities for men and women. Among other sustainability topics, AGEXPORT will also support companies to measure its carbon footprint, improve water supplies, implement circular economy projects and control the usage of pesticides.

We seek to be the voice of exporting companies in Guatemala regarding sustainability. We intend to increase the reputation of Guatemalan firms and allow them to gain more trust from international buyers by implementing good environmental practices, as well as social and economic practices. We will achieve this with training activities, raising awareness of the importance of sustainability and establishing alliances with other institutions. We will also take the commitment of reducing child malnutrition in Guatemala; said Mrs. Yolanda Mayora, director of AGEXPORT’s Sustainability Department.

AGEXPORT is currently developing, jointly with other private sector organizations, a document that details all actions from the private sector to help Guatemala achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This report will be launched on the first quarter of 2020.

Mrs. Mayora said all these sustainable efforts from AGEXPORT will lead to promote a sustainable trade in Guatemala, with the establishment of corporate roundtables to help member companies to strengthen inner capabilities and improve the quality of life of their workers and their families. These efforts are made jointly with CENTRARSE (the Guatemalan Center for Corporate Social Responsibility).