As a way to promote interest in the issue of export among women entrepreneurs and/or with established enterprises, Pro Ecuador held the so-called Forum of Exporting Women on Tuesday, which had government authorities as panelists, women who are a sign of success when taking their products to another country and representatives of international organizations.
Among the first to participate was Paola Aguilar, manager of placements and deposits at BanEcuador, who indicated that of a portfolio of 1,500 million dollars, 506 are given to credits for women (148,000). In addition, 80% is directed to the agricultural sector.
“Why focus on women? Because we want to be inclusive and it really is a business to support women, because they have the least delinquencies. In BanEcuador, loans to women have 5% less delinquency than men. It could have been better, but we had a time of pandemic that affected… the credit of rural superwomen barely has 4% delinquency… (in addition) 58% of our term deposits are from women, “said Aguilar.
During the forum there were two groups of panelists. The first on the fundamental components to strengthen and promote women exporters, in which Lorena Konanz, vice minister for the promotion of Exports and Investments, participated; Carola Ríos, general director of the National Customs Service (Senae); Caterina Costa, CEO of Poligrup, and Marcela Vélez, who told about the internationalization case of her Allpa Viva brand.
Lady Briones, moderator of the forum, commented that every day in Ecuador there are more than 7,000 companies that fight to show Ecuador to the world and one of them is that of Vélez, who recounted her experience with Allpa Viva, which produces supplements and vitamins based on superfoods like chocho and moringa.
She commented that the idea of producing lupine in a different way was born after her son’s doctor recommended that she see how to give him lupine to make up for a lack of protein. She now in her company has taken it to a quick and practical way to consume it in powder form, including mixing it with other foods.
Konanz mentioned that several countries in the region are working on equality in the participation of women in different spheres of society and Ecuador cannot be left behind.
“A 17% is the wage gap between men and women in Ecuador. According to Super. of Companies, only 23% of medium and large companies in Ecuador are managed by women. In other words, we not only need women to participate in the workforce, but also in high positions, decision-making and leadership positions,” said Konanz, for whom it is important to encourage girls in the careers of the future: science, technology, art and math.
Konanz added that of the 7,900 companies registered in the exporter’s route, 677 are led by women (8%), a number that they want to increase.
Costa recalled that 51% of the country’s population are women, however, within the economically active population they are 40% and in adequate employment with the fair ones it reaches 30%.
“The data helps us visualize the magnitude of the problem” and find the best way to work on it, since the gap in the services and business sector is -32%, he added.
“(It is) necessary to make companies understand that gender equity is not only an objective, but a condition for the development of the family, of companies and of society,” Costa pointed out.
Previously, the organization had mentioned that in order to promote the economic empowerment of women through the strengthening of businesses and the promotion of exports, the Vice Ministry for the Promotion of Exports and Investments created the Pro Mujeres program, which seeks to enhance the skills and skills of female export representatives who own or lead managerial positions in companies that are part of the Exporter Route.
This program has four axes: continuous training, technical advice, projects and development of an annual multi-sector business conference.
In the second part of the event, the importance of learning about gender-inclusive programs that promote internationalization in Ecuadorian companies was discussed.
In the second discussion were Adriana La Valley, chief of operations of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Alison Vásconez, UN Women specialist; Andrea Sáez, from the Subdepartment of Gender and Original Peoples of ProChile. The latter spoke about the work that her country does to integrate women entrepreneurs to try their luck in international markets, for which training on everything that has to do with her products and services is key.
La Valley expressed that it is important not to forget strategic alliances between women and pointed out that the IDB launched the Women Connect Americas platform in 2016, which contacts 600,000 clients or potential allies around the world.
They were accompanied by two local business owners who have been able to export, Susana Cárdenas, from Cárdenas Chocolates, and Olinka Vélez, from Olinka Specialty Coffee. They shared their experience and effort to motivate others to follow their path. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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