Advice for SMEs
in Central America
Monday, December 12, 2011
On December 14 in Panama City the regional forum under the theme "Entrepreneurship, Employment and Local Development" will take place.
The event will bring together representatives from countries in Central America and the Caribbean, and is sponsored by the Regional Centre for the Promotion of Micro and Small Enterprises in Central America.
Friday, November 18, 2011
The BBVA Foundation and AMPYME have agree to the first private-public partnership for microfinancers in Panama.
The Microfinance Foundation of the Spanish bank BBVA has teamed up with the Authority for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Panama to promote the use of financial products from these companies.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The funds will be used to improve the competitiveness of MSEs in the Huétar Norte region and expand rural credit services in the South Central region.
A press release by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) reads:
IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno today signed agreements for two projects run by the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) to the amount of U.S.
Friday, October 7, 2011
The BCIE has granted a credit line to Cathay Bank to support MSME’s, as well as international trade and housing in Costa Rica.
A press release by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) reads:
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) has granted a loan to Banco Cathay allowing it to expand its global credit line to $10.5 million in order to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as international trade and housing Costa Rica.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The loan will benefit more than 1,000 producers by providing access to co-financing for enhancing trade capacity.
A press release by Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) states:
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a loan of U.S. $30 million to El Salvador for the program of Development Support Production for International Integration, which will increase the ability of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in national, regional and global value chains.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The 'Coaching Exportation to Europe' program aims to train 100 Guatemalan businesses to export to the Netherlands.
The program is being led by the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) with support from the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from the Netherlands (CBI).
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Public and private entities in Cartago are pushing for the creation of a special economic zone (ZEE in Spanish).
The initiative aims to promote links between Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the area and large enterprises, while promoting job creation in the area of science and technology.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The exporters corporation of El Salvador is holding a regional workshop themed “Modernising Technical Requirements” to help people export to the U.S. safely.
As part of its AGROCAFTA program, the corporation of exporters of El Salvador (COEXPORT) is including a a regional workshop on modernising technical requirements to support SMEs with making secure exports to the U.S.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Proposed reforms to the country's Acquisitions and Contracts law, combined with a $1.4 million investment, would enable MSEs to bid for government contracts.
If the bill is approved by congress, the government procurement, acquisitions and contracts law (known as Lacap in Spanish) MSEs would obtain 12% of state purchases.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Guatemala’s sixth largest bank, Bantrab (Spanish acronym for Worker’s Bank), landed a credit line from the German Development Bank (DEG).
Mauricio Álvarez, Bantrab’s head of strategic planning, explained that the funds will be loaned to small and medium enterprises from rural and urban areas.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The multinational chain held a business conference as part of its program “A Hand to Grow”.
SMEs interested in becoming providers for the retailer have until April 15 to apply.
Monday, March 7, 2011
The new association, Aconimipyme, aims at offering advice in order to improve competitiveness of small and medium enterprises.
"According to Osman Altamirano, president of Nicaragua Consultants Association for Small and Medium Business, Aconimipyme, the goal is to take advantage of the training and experience of its members to help MSMEs overcome their weaknesses," reports an article in Laprensa.com.ni.
Monday, March 7, 2011
The project will improve productivity of MSMEs in tourism and agribusiness.
For this, the World Bank will invest U.S. $ 32 million to strengthen their added value products, quality and integration to national and international markets.
"Micro, small and medium businesses generate most jobs in Guatemala, this project will help promote growth and increase their productivity," said Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Director for Central America. "Promoting sustainable growth and productivity is one of the World Bank´s priorities for the Partnership Strategy with Guatemala," he added.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Co-Invierto announced the second round of the program which will benefit some 220 tourism SMEs.
Ian Colonel, project manager, said that for this second call $ 600 000 are available, funded by the Dutch government and Grupo Pellas.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The government signed a technical and financial assistance treaty with Germany for $ 64 million.
The funds will go to social projects on environment and governance, housing and support programs for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).