The first forum for business opportunities between Andorra and Central America held on Wednesday, March 15th, in Andorra la Vella ended in a high level of participation that helped to establish new bilateral business contacts between the two regions.
The business meeting was organized by the Andorran agency for economic promotion (ACTUA) and the Government, with the support of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Andorra. The conference was attended by diplomatic representatives (ambassadors, ministers, Economic advisors and Foreign Trade counselors…) from Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, all members of the System for Central America’s Integration (SICA). Attendees could experience the process of Andorra’s economic opening and projects by more than a dozen Andorran companies. In total, 36 individual B2B meetings took place, between representatives of the companies in the Principality and diplomats from Central American countries.
The Andorran minister of Foreign Affairs, Gilbert Saboya, was in charge of opening the session. He highlighted the ties of friendship between the regions and the business opportunities. Later the ambassador from Costa Rica and coordinator of Central America, Doris Osterlof, emphasized “we share many values and principles, a basis for a lasting relationship” and predicted growth for their region of 4.7% in 2017.
The Secretary of State for Andorra’s Economic Diversification, Josep Maria Missé, presented the process of Andorra’s economic opening and new business opportunities generated. For example, Missé reported that foreign direct investment created 1,041 jobs between 2012 and 2015, and now represents 3.8% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2016, formalized investments amounted to over 97 million euros. Missé also highlighted some of the characteristics of Andorra such as having a GDP per capita of 46,375 dollars (the EU average is 37,691 dollars), a low crime rate and the example of integration in the country, where over 100 different nationalities coexist peacefully.
Central American diplomats also presented their respective countries’ opportunities for trade and investment. The forum’s closing ceremony was given by Andorra’s ambassador in Spain, Jaume Gaytan. The day ended with a working lunch with the participation of representatives from the Andorran and SICA delegations.
The business meeting was organized by the Andorran agency for economic promotion (ACTUA) and the Government, with the support of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Andorra. The conference was attended by diplomatic representatives (ambassadors, ministers, Economic advisors and Foreign Trade counselors…) from Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, all members of the System for Central America’s Integration (SICA). Attendees could experience the process of Andorra’s economic opening and projects by more than a dozen Andorran companies. In total, 36 individual B2B meetings took place, between representatives of the companies in the Principality and diplomats from Central American countries.
The Andorran minister of Foreign Affairs, Gilbert Saboya, was in charge of opening the session. He highlighted the ties of friendship between the regions and the business opportunities. Later the ambassador from Costa Rica and coordinator of Central America, Doris Osterlof, emphasized “we share many values and principles, a basis for a lasting relationship” and predicted growth for their region of 4.7% in 2017.
The Secretary of State for Andorra’s Economic Diversification, Josep Maria Missé, presented the process of Andorra’s economic opening and new business opportunities generated. For example, Missé reported that foreign direct investment created 1,041 jobs between 2012 and 2015, and now represents 3.8% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2016, formalized investments amounted to over 97 million euros. Missé also highlighted some of the characteristics of Andorra such as having a GDP per capita of 46,375 dollars (the EU average is 37,691 dollars), a low crime rate and the example of integration in the country, where over 100 different nationalities coexist peacefully.
Central American diplomats also presented their respective countries’ opportunities for trade and investment. The forum’s closing ceremony was given by Andorra’s ambassador in Spain, Jaume Gaytan. The day ended with a working lunch with the participation of representatives from the Andorran and SICA delegations.
