On August 24th and 25th companies and public institutions will meet to discuss issues such as standards and quality management, as well as taking part in a business roundtables for the industrial sector.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
Guatemala April 20, 2016. -AGEXPORT-, Ministry of Economy, The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ministry of Finance, and Universidad del Valle, are some of the 18 public, private and academic institutions of the Organizing Committee of the XI Congress on Quality, which seeks to strengthen the culture of quality in Guatemala on issues of quality management, enabling agency and multi-sectoral work to productively contribute to growth and development.
Central America must improve the quality standards of its products, learn more about the consumers and simplify processes in order to take advantage of the opportunities of the Agreement with the European Union.
In order to maximize the opportunities provided by the Association Agreement which has been signed with the European Union (EU), Central American companies must have a better understanding of the European market, which has more than 500 million consumers who are demanding in terms of quality and food safety. Furthermore, it is essential to simplify export procedures in order to expedite the process of obtaining permits and other procedures which are reducing export competitiveness in Central America.
A regional program will support the quality and application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
In order to improve access for Central American products to markets the creation of a standardized and internationally recognized Regional System for Quality and Application of SPS Measures has been proposed.
A communiqué from the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat reads:
The funds will be used in international commerce promotion programs and to strengthen the National Quality System.
From a $14.3 million donation announced by the European Commission, $715.000 will be used to purchase Legal Metrology equipment for the National Quality System.
"The remaining funds will be used in promoting investment, consolidating the program of Trade, Investment and Tourism Attachés (Pacit), and in supporting international commerce", reported website Sigloxxi.com.