CABEI, the European Union and the Government of Germany promote environmental and sustainable development of Guatemalan industry

Guatemala City, April 19, 2024.- With the aim of promoting business, alliances and good business relations in environmental issues with trends and innovation for industry, the Green MSMEs Initiative II of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the European Union (EU) and the Government of Germany, through KfW, supported the Sustainable Industries Congress, organized by the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG).

More than 10 national speakers from the areas of environment, sustainability, social and environmental management, production, maintenance, among others, shared strategic topics from the industry's perspective.

More than 400 key players in the country, promoters of the recycling economy and biodiversity management had the opportunity to participate in various forums and conferences with the aim of exchanging experiences and best practices regarding environmental issues and innovation, which will continue to promote sustainable development in Guatemala.

Green MSMEs Initiative II

The Green MSMEs II Initiative is one of two major initiatives that the European Union, KfW and CABEI are implementing in Central America to improve access to financing and strengthen the capacities of MSMEs in the region. The DINAMICA II Initiative is another effort that focuses on new, young, and innovative enterprises.

Both initiatives are aligned with the European Union's Global Gateway strategy, which seeks to promote green and digital, socially just transitions throughout Latin America. It is a comprehensive and inclusive strategy that fosters EU-LAC investments and cooperation, both from the public and private sectors.

At the regional level, the Green MSMEs Initiative II has granted more than US$40 million in loans and more than US$7 million in guarantees, protecting more than 10,000 jobs in more than 600 companies. In Guatemala, support has been provided to MSMEs and entrepreneurs, granting more than US$2 million in loan guarantees and more than US$100,000 in technical cooperations.

As part of the efforts of the Green MSMEs Initiative II to promote sustainable mobility, on March 19 the Regional Sustainable Mobility Contest was launched, through which 18 MSMEs will receive awards at the regional level.

Participants must register to receive the complete rules of the contest and submit their proposals: https://www.bcie.org/concurso-mipyme