Guatemala, March 09, 2021. The Trade Facilitation Office, TFO Canada, and the Guatemalan Exporters Association, AGEXPORT, affirm their commitment to contribute to inclusive growth and women’s economic empowerment by increasing trade between Guatemala and Canada through the leadership of Guatemalan women exporters. TFO Canada and AGEXPORT have concluded a partnership agreement to implement the "Women in Trade for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth" project funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
The project aims to provide training and technical assistance to AGEXPORT representatives on issues such as knowledge of women's value in leadership positions, strategies for equitable participation of women, and the creation of business networks for women. Besides, Women-led SMEs in the handmade sector will be trained and provided with technical assistance to increase their knowledge and information on consumer demand, buyer behaviour, regulations, the environment and climate change, responsible business practices, prices in Canada and other international markets. With this support, indigenous producers will be able to enter the export value chain.
"The work that Guatemalan women do to generate development in the country is extremely important and this is reflected in the spaces of leadership and empowerment that we have currently achieved in the Export Sector because of the 26 boards of directors, committees and commissions within AGEXPORT, there are 57 women that are part of them. Thus, 80% of the organization has Boards of Directors equally organized. These women, in addition to running their exporting companies, donate time, talent and energy to each of the sectors to which they belong," said AGEXPORT’s President Connie de Paiz.
“Through the implementation of this project, TFO Canada will increase trade programs that seek to strengthen the export capacities of exporting SMEs, particularly those in the handmade sector owned or managed by women. This is to take advantage of the new export opportunities offered by the international market," said Steven Tipman, Executive Director of TFO Canada.
The signing of this agreement is expected to carry out the following actions:
- Training of 75 representatives of women-led Guatemalan SMEs by technical experts.
- Registration of 83 SMEs on the TFO Canada website.
- Creation of two access market studies to the Canadian market.
- Support the participation of 20 women-led SMEs in market access events, including developing a virtual business mission.
“TFO Canada will support AGEXPORT with training and technical assistance to increase skills, knowledge and resources to provide appropriate gender-sensitive export readiness services to women-led and male-led SMEs” concluded De Paiz.
TFO Canada is a recognized leader for its work in improving people's living conditions by facilitating sustainable international trade for small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries.