Events

SME EXPORT PLATFORM

BELTRAIDE in collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are embarking in a Capacity Building initiative named SME Export Platform. The objective of the Platform is to diversify and increase the number of exporters from developing Latin American countries and the value of agribusiness exports to the US, Canada and European markets. The Platform comprises of three stages 1) training in international business, 2) validation of the product in the target market; and 3) negotiation skills. The Platform has participation from 10 small and medium agribusiness companies. Participating companies will be offered the opportunity to participate in a trade show/mission in Miami, where they will promote their products and make contacts.

For updates on SME Export Platform, click here.

Commonwealth

BRANDING OF BELIZEAN PRODUCTS USING STANDARDS CERTIFICATION MARKS

BELTRAIDE hosted a representative from the Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSEC) during the week of June 8th-12th, 2009 to discuss the development of a Standard/Certification Mark to use the Brand/logo – Belize Foods Celebrating Quality. Meetings were scheduled and carried out with 21 SMEs and other entities such as the Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS), the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Economic Development. The development of a Standards/Certification Mark has been initiated with the objective of safeguarding and building consumer confidence on food and manufacturing products of Belize.

For more information please click here. .

Scotiabank SCOTIA / BELTRAIDE WORKSHOPS AND VENTURES

BELTRAIDE and Scotia Bank have embarked on a partnering to do a round of workshops to focus on common problems/challenges faced by small businesses in Belize. This venture started on a trial basis in mid June 2009 to allow us the opportunity to fine-tune the workshop process for future events. The first workshop held focused on the importance for SMES in keeping good financial records. BELTRAIDE & Scotia Bank are in continuous liaison and has agreed on preparing and delivering presentations conducive to SME development with the objective of enhancing their capacity access easy financing, thus making them more competitive.

CENPROMYPE – QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

The Center for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Central America (CENPROMYPE) headquarters located in El Salvador, the Central American Integration System (SICA), the Government of Taiwan and the Belize Trade & Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) are launching a project entitled “Quality & Productivity Management System for Small & Medium Enterprises”. The objective is to strengthen entrepreneurial development services and increase knowledge of quality & productivity management system in Belize.

Seven (7) Belizean participants are being trained as consultants in the area of Quality & Productivity Management Systems, particularly ISO 9001:2008 in order for them to provide Technical Assistance to 60 SMES in this area and other quality assurance tools. The cost of the training and technical assistance is being shared between the project (CENPROMYPE) and the consultants.

30 Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) will benefit from the project by being recipients of the Quality & Productivity Management Audits.

For more information please click here. .

FINPYME BELIZE

FINPYME® (Spanish acronym for Innovative Financing for SMES) is a diagnostic tool for small and medium enterprises (SME) intended to help them improve their competitiveness and facilitate their access to potential sources of financing.
The program features a mechanism for evaluating SMES, which are typically underserved by the banking system because their financial capacity is largely unknown. Its diagnostic reviews examine what factors positively or negatively affect a business’ ability to create wealth and employment and how efficiently they are managed.

At the moment, this project is in the stage of conducting the diagnostic process by a qualified consultant; which will highlight the weakness and strengths of such SMES. This diagnostic is to be submitted to the Inter-American Investment Corporation) once it has been presented and accepted by the particular SME involved and BELTRAIDE. Presently, we have ten (10) SMES involved in this project and three (3) consultants to conduct the diagnostics. The ten (10) companies participating actively in this project are; Galen University, Marie Sharp Fine Foods Limited, Belize Paper Works Limited, Caribbean Treasures, Western Dairies, Femagra Industries Limited, Chemical Specialties of Belize, Dave’s Furniture World Limited, Maheias United Concrete & supplies.

The three consultants actively conducting the diagnostics are; Dr. Vincent Palacio, Ms. Patricia Mendoza, Mr. Maurice Shield & Mr. Phillip Castillo.

BELTRAIDE is seeking earnestly to accomplish these diagnostics as there are five (5) more companies on a waiting list to join this project for diagnostics, they are; Little Belize Exporters, Astrum Travel, Medina’s Construction, James Brodies & Company and Roses Paper Products.

This is considered the first phase of the FYNPYME project and BELTRAIDE is lobbying to for phase two (2) to this project; which involves offering Technical Assistance (TA) as it relates to the diagnostics of the consultants concerning the SMES of phase one (1). We must emphasize that phase two (2) is in the process of negotiation.

BELTRAIDE – ATLANTIC BANK SYNERGY

Presentation was made to Atlantic Bank’s General Manager and Management Team in the month of September 2009, concerning BELTRAIDE and its function in fostering economic development through its three (3) strategic approaches, Marketing, Investment & Entrepreneurial Development. This presentation was delivered with special emphasis on Small & Medium Size Enterprises (SMES) and the importance of financing in their development. In response to this presentation made by Mr. Jose Herrera, Director of SME Capacity Building & Development Unit, Mr. Rodolfo Carcamo, Manager of SME packages & Mr. Pedro Perez, Manager of Business Development Department at Atlantic Bank, committed to deliver a presentation to BELTRAIDE concerning Atlantic Bank’s position regarding Small & Medium Enterprise development in Belize which was effected on the 6th of November 2009

For more information please click here. .

IIC
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM SECTOR (Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC), the Austrian Government, BELTRAIDE)

In March 2009, the inter American investment corporation )IIC) announced the official launching of its energy efficiency and renewable energy technical assistance program GREENPYME targeting small & medium enterprises (SMES) in Latin American and Caribbean countries that have high energy –savings potential. The IIC is the only multilateral development institution mandated to provide support and financing for SMES in the region. GREENPYME was officially inaugurated in November 2008, when the IIC hosted three capacity building and awareness-raising workshops on energy efficiency for SMES in Jamaica and Belize.

For more information please click here. .

Jaica

QUALITY & PRODUCTIVITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (JICA) – BELTRAIDE/GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN/GOVERNMENT OF COSTA RICA (CEFOF)

This initiative relating to quality assurance tools was cemented among BETLRAIDE, The government of Japan (Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)) and the government of the Republic of Costa Rica (CEFOF – regional center for productivity). The purpose of this project is to develop a Facilitators Training Program, focusing on Japanese techniques for Productivity and Quality Improvement for Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) in Central America and the Caribbean region; thus enhancing their competitiveness.

For more information please click here. .