In a context where consumers demand that products be manufactured in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, purpose-built brands will be the most likely to increase sales.
The tendency to consume products that belong to a brand with purpose is becoming increasingly important in markets, as consumers look to companies to manufacture goods in a responsible and sustainable way.
In markets such as North America and Western Europe, a consumer segment wants the grain to meet aspects such as ethical and sustainable sourcing, and its production process to be certified.
According to the study "Trends and Opportunities for value-added coffee exports" conducted by the Differentiated Coffees Committee of AGEXPORT, reveals how to change the strategies for marketing good quality coffee with higher value added (roasted), for the next coffee harvest of 2,019 - 2,020 and those to come.
In order for Panama's tourism companies to obtain the sustainability seal, they must undergo external audits on topics such as responsible management, quality control, safety, and others.
With the changes to Decree-Law 82 of December 23, 2008, companies and individual auditors can perform external audits and that large and micro tourism companies are interested in the implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Standard, informed the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP).
On November 13th and 14th Costa Rican entrepreneurs of hotel brands, investment funds and real estate developers will be meeting in Costa Rica to discuss sustainable investments in the industry.
The event is being organized by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and will take place at the Hotel Real Intercontinental.
The standard establishes minimum criteria for tourism companies to include in their sustainability standards in order to raise competitiveness at the national level.
From a statement issued by the Tourism Authority of Panama:
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) announced the Panama Tourism Sustainability Standard on July 5, a standard which was developed jointly with the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI), after extensive national consultations, adjustments and training in recent months, both with the private sector, NGOs, community groups and academics.
From May 25 to 27 companies linked to the construction sector will be meeting in Costa Rica to take part in business meetings and conferences on sustainable construction.
The International Conference on Sustainable Construction is being organized by the Green Building Council of Costa Rica, and will be held at the Radisson hotel in San Jose.
In April it will be not long until an agreement is reached between Honduras and the EU for marketing timber in the old continent, which is sourced from sustainably harvested forests.
An article on Laprensa.hn reports that "...The delegations from Honduras and the European Union (EU) expect that in April the sixth and final round of negotiations for the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT Ava) will be held."
Tender documents are being prepared for the construction of the new center in the province of Chiriqui, which will have an area of 4,000 square meters and capacity for 2,000 people.
From a statement issued by the Tourism Authority of Panama:
The first green convention center in Central America will be built in Boquete, Chiriqui province, in an area of 4000 m2 and will have capacity for 2,000 people.
The drama over the bulk of exports being primary products without added value is unfolding not only in Nicaragua.
The new president of the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN), Guillermo Jacoby, has carried out a lucid analysis of the difficulties faced by Nicaraguan exporters in increasing both the volume and the value of its sales abroad, and especially how to make this productive effort sustainable.
From May 17 to 20 2016 the Latin America and Caribbean World Forum on Resources 2016, International Conference on Sustainable Construction and III Green Expo will be held in San Jose, Costa Rica.
The GBC-CR, the World Resources Forum (WRF) and the United Nations Program for Environment (UNEP) will join their expertise and enthusiasm in order to develop a single global event for the Latin American region.
On 16 February experts in the construction sector will be meeting to discuss issues such as sustainable building techniques for efficient water use.
The Commission for Environment and Sustainability at the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) has organized for a forum on February 16 which will include the participation of experts from the Ministry of Environment, the Panama Canal Authority, the Water Center for the Humid Tropics for Latin America and the Caribbean, the University of Panama and the Panama Green Building Council.
From September 29th to October 1st, entrepreneurs will be gathering together in Guatemala City to take part in business conferences and address issues such as use of technology and construction practices.
The event is being organized by the Guatemalan Chamber of Construction (CGC) and the Guatemala Green Building Council (GGBC).
Pelayo Llarena Cobos, CGC president, told Revistaconstruir.com that "...
When it comes to making a choice, there is a clear preference by travelers for "green" hotels and tourism products, confirming that the sustainability of the tourism business only makes sense when the sustainability of the area is guaranteed.
In her blog in Elfinancierocr.com, Katiana Murillo highlights the growing preference of tourists worldwide for hotels which have environmentally friendly practices, even if it means paying higher rates.
Support is being given to sustainable agriculture programs to meet growing consumer concern about the origin of the raw materials of the products they consume.
From a statement issued by the Cosa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Cargill and Mondelēz International are promoting two programs to have a cocoa supply chain which is 100% sustainable by 2020.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration has granted a loan to finance part of the program of works on Sustainability of Rural Water and Sanitation.
From a statement issued by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE):
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) and the Government of Nicaragua signed a $30 million loan to finance the "Program for Sustainability of Rural Water and Sanitation".