Venezuela: Support program for SMEs

Claudia Martinez, vice president of Social and Environmental Development of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), and Lope Mendoza, president of the Venezuelan Confederation of Industries (Conindustria) initiated the execution of the Support Program for Exporter Development (PADE) in the CAF headquarters in Caracas. The program will stimulate the internationalization of the Venezuelan small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector, facilitating sustainable access to international markets.

CAF President & CEO Enrique García explained that the program was evidence of the integrated approach with which CAF responds to the region’s problems since SMEs are a dynamic element of the economy of all countries, providing an important source of employment, stability and equitable economic growth.

The objective of the agreement is to offer integrated support to a group of 30 firms around the country through an Exporter Plan that gives them permanent access to international markets, by strengthening their business training and education. Conindustria will provide advice to the participating firms for one year through specialized consultants during the process of design and implementation of the program until their products are permanently placed on international markets.

Benefits of PADE

The Exporter Support Program assists the SMEs in all phases of the export process to achieve the permanent and stable marketing of their products on international markets.

The program offers an integrated support for SMEs through a network of strategic allies in the areas of information, promotion and training with the inclusion of a full-time consultant for 14 months. It also seeks to generate a change of culture among business owners and first-line managers by raising awareness of exporting.

The firms participating in the first phase have received economic backing from various public and private bodies, which has partially financed the cost of the consultants.

Conindustria President Lope Mendoza expressed his satisfaction with the program, which is the first international support for Venezuelan exporters. “We are taking a first step along the path to diversification of the economy, and increasing national production, which will generate the new sources of employment that are so necessary for improving the quality of life of the population,” he said.