For 40 years the export sector has managed to execute several programs for Pymes, from various sectors and supporting their internationalization with technical and commercial training, thanks to the trust of the European Union.
This is how in the AGRITRADE Expo & Conference 2022 edition, a special recognition was given to the head of the regional trade and economy section of the European Union Central America, Massimo De Luca, who represented the EU during the event, to celebrate the framework of the first 25 years of cooperation in Guatemala and the first 10 years of implementation of the Association Agreement, whose support has allowed many Guatemalans to reach economic development opportunities.
“We know and have witnessed the firm conviction of the European Union that MIPYMES are important actors in the economic development of countries, and that they must be supported to overcome the challenges of competitiveness to access the benefits that trade represents. international”, commented the president of AGEXPORT, Guillermo Montano.
During this time, the commitment of the European Union has been essential, especially to the conditions and instrumental for trade facilitation. As such the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union, which has allowed bilateral trade between Guatemala and the EU has grown from a modest 4% to almost 10% of the current volume of our exports being better and friendlier for MIPYMES. Giving the absolute clarity that cooperation is not only manifested through subsidies to improve products and services , but also with the opening of markets to sell them.
“Programs such as Mipymes and More Competitive Cooperatives (MCC+); Prosperous Adjacency Zone (ZAP), and PRO-Resiliencia (through PMA), have been testimony to the trust that the Delegation in Guatemala has extended towards AGEXPORT. As well as the current regional program AL INVEST Verde, which has allowed support for micro, small and medium-sized companies in Guatemala and Central America, in important issues of competitiveness such as compliance with sustainability regulations to access the European Union market ” Montano added.
The progress of the cooperation agenda of the European Union in support of the competitiveness of MIPYMES makes it clear that cooperation efforts for development do not conflict with the activity of the private sector, but rather that it must be a main and relevant actor and a way to reach more people and improve their living conditions.
AGEXPORT recognizes the union of efforts for the development of Guatemala through continental, regional and bilateral programs supported by the EU, which have facilitated the incorporation of producers, women and young people from rural areas into export value chains over the 25 years of cooperation in Guatemala.
