The Project aims at improving the competitiveness and performance of small and medium-sized private firms (SMEs) for a strong impact on the growth and diversification of non-traditional exports. The Project builds on the strong export-oriented tradition Guatemala has, owing to the relatively small size of the domestic market and the excellent climate conditions, soil and natural resources. Three products have traditionally dominated exports. The promotion of other, non-traditional sectors represents an enormous opportunity for Guatemalan SMEs to grow into new markets, encouraging employment and thus creating a new political, economic and social base for necessary reforms of the traditional local society.
The Project overall concept is based on an integrated approach thus working on three distinct levels:·
- on the micro level: with individual firms
- on the meso / institutional level: with private organisations and professional associations
- on the macro level: with the public sector in order to improve economic and legal framework conditions.
The Project’s activities in phase 1 and 2 focussed on the micro level:
- promotion of potential exporters through a combination of seminars·
- individual business consultancies
- participation on international trade fairs.
Priority sectors have been:
- non-traditional agricultural products, especially ecological agricultural products
- textile and clothing
- as well as the important sector of local handicrafts.
On the meso level the Project advices the counterpart institution AGEXPRONT on a range of issues including organisational restructuring, optimisation of existing services, identification of new services, improvement of internal financial situation, participation at international trade fairs in order to ensure sustainability. Furthermore, local consultants have been qualified as well as networking and cooperation of institutions and projects have been encouraged. On the macro level the Project influences the macroeconomic conditions to improve the competitiveness of the country through studies and forums on key topics, organisation of campaigns of the country’s image.
- 1 German project co-ordinator
- 1 local project assistant
- International, regional, and local short-term experts
- 1 German-based business promoter
- Capacity building of export promotion institutions
- Networking and cooperation with chambers, universities and other projects
- Qualification of local consultants
- Improvement of macro economic competitiveness
- Integrated approach on micro, meso and macro level
- Activities and good results on the micro level help building confidence and encourage good working relations with institutions/ partner organisations on the meso and macro level
- Promotion of "bio-products" and their certification including national legislation and EU-acceptance