For sure, Guatemala got game

Guatemalan minister counsellor, second head of Mission Ad Interim, Alejandro Vela Aquino, was speaking during a Cultural Awareness Seminar organised and sponsored by the Secretariat for the Implementation of Spanish (SIS). It was the final seminars in a series done in collaboration with the diplomatic missions established here and held at the Cascadia Conference Centre.

Targetting the local business community, it featured presentations from Aquino, Sean Clarke, Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), representative Wayne Punnett and SIS director, Dr Sharon-ann Gopaul-McNicol.

Aquino outlined the benefits of investing in the Guatemalan agri-business and observed that Trinidad and Tobago imported fresh and frozen vegetables from the Unites States.

Guatemala, he noted, is one of the main suppliers of certain fresh and frozen vegetables and fruits to the US and imports petrochemicals and fertiliser, which, he said, can come from Trinidad.

In effect, increased trade with Guatemala in this area may lead to a reduction in the cost of some food products in TT.

He also cited as advantages the speed and easy access to major world markets such as the United States, Mexico, and South America.

Guatemala’s strategic location, its excellent dockage services and the fact that it was the only Central American nation with ports on both the Pacific and Atlantic coast was an additional plus, he said.

He also spoke at length about his country’s modern electrical and telecommunications infrastructure and the presence of numerous competitively priced call centres, which made it easier for foreigners working in Guatemala to make international calls. He touched on his country’s legal environment and observed it was conducive to foreign trade and is based on the rule of law and the promotion and protection of investment.

Aquino also focused on highlighting the advantages enjoyed by transnational commercial entities operating in Guatemala.

Aquino drew attention to the presence of free trade zones in Guatemala and the availability of an educated and skilled workforce, as evidenced by the presence of ten prestigious universities. Guatemala also has the largest student population in Central America and the presence of a national technical educational institution - the Training and Productivity Institute (INTECAP) with thirty-two branches around the country.

The seminar attempted to exposed local business people, industry representatives and representatives from various government ministries, to existing trade relations between Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago.

Guatemalan business etiquette and commercial practices and business opportunities were explored and reviewed at the seminar.

Punnett, who reviewed existing trade relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala, noted that there was a positive balance of trade between both countries. He said Trinidad and Tobago’s unique position at the bottom of the Caribbean archipelago and strategic location to Africa, South America and Europe could make it a natural place for the development of a trans-shipment hub for both airplanes and ships.

In keeping with the themes of the seminar, Clarke highlighted the success and experiences of a Trinbagonian businessman in the furniture retail industry and who had approached the Guatemalan embassy for help.

Clarke observed that through business people were able to benefit from the work of the Commercial Attach? Programme for Investment and Tourism (PACIT) and the Guatemalan Association of Non-Traditional Exports (AGEXPRON).

Before he left for Guatemala, Clarke observed that this local retail businessman was able to identify the Guatemalan companies that produced the furniture and arrange meetings with them.

His hotel accommodation was also arranged by AGEXPRON in a location that afforded easy access to the Guatemalan furniture cluster, Clarke said.

Clarke added that in the end, the businessman was able to enjoy reduced prices and other benefits. Now, the businessman wants to learn Spanish and is presently making arrangements for his staff members to attend specialised language schools in Antigua, a city in Guatemala world renowned for these institutions.