AGEXPORT’s International Alliances division launched a 3-year training program for Central American exporting firms called “Connecting Central America”. The program is jointly financed by the European Union, the Dutch Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) and AGEXPORT.

As part of the program, on 24 July more than 15 companies of AGEXPORT’s Aquaculture and Fishing division attended a special training session given by an expert from CBI.

At this training, companies learned about the benefits of the Connecting Central America program, which include: a) personalized training; b) education courses on corporate social responsibility and certifications; c) a one-week business mission to Europe; d) participation on business-to-business fairs and related activities.

The program is aimed for Central American exporting or local firms with exporting potential to the European Union, specifically for products like fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and seafood, cocoa and coffee. The project includes coaching services to prepare small and medium enterprises along with associations and cooperatives of up to 250 employees.

The regional project Connecting Central America represents a key opportunity for small and medium companies to achieve, with a small investment, strong capabilities to access the European Union market. The Business Coaching tool used by CBI has proven to be very effective in allowing businesses to enter the European Union, said Mr. Moisés Mérida, AGEXPORT’s International Alliances manager.

The Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries is a Dutch agency with more than 45 years of history. It focusses on promoting exports from developing nations and has been a key partner for AGEXPORT and its mission of transforming Guatemala into an exporting country.

For more information on the Connecting Central American project, please contact Mrs. Stacey Marroquin at (502) 2422-3692 or at the e-mail alianzas.int@agexport.org.gt