Honduran businesswomen present their business plans to national experts in search of growth and development

June 15, 2023. Honduran women face greater challenges in the growth of their small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), despite their active participation in business ventures at the same rate as men. Many of the difficulties they face stem from a lack of business knowledge and skills, as well as limited access to networks and capital to support their business growth.

In order to address these limitations, INCAE has developed the Progresando Entrepreneurial Program (EMPRO Honduras), financed by the PriceSmart Foundation and Cargill. The Program aims to provide women leaders of SMEs with the business and financial skills and knowledge necessary for their growth.

As part of EMPRO, the participants have prepared to present their ventures and growth plans before two panels of experts: one financial and the other business. These presentations were made today, June 15, at the Cortés Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCIC), through the "elevator pitch" format.

During this activity, known as the Business Roundtable, the businesswomen also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of potential retailers and new distribution channels for their products. In addition, they interacted and showed their products to representatives of organizations and special guests present at the event.

The day of activities was inaugurated by Arlette Ictech, Member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Industries and Commerce of Cortés, who welcomed the prominent participants, including Liliana Barahona, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility for Honduras and Cargill's Guatemala; Francisco Velásquez, Club Manager San Pedro Sula of PriceSmart, Ronald Arce, Director of CLACDS/INCAE, Gracia María Barahona, Manager of the EMPRO Honduras Program of CLACDS/INCAE and Ingrid Quirós, Academic Coordinator of EMPRO Honduras.

The EMPRO Program began in October of last year and its objective is to provide training and mentoring to women entrepreneurs, in order to improve and diversify their access to markets, as well as strengthen their ability to obtain credit and other financial services necessary for their growth.

For more information about EMPRO Honduras and the activities carried out, you can contact Mauren Esquivel through the mail mauren.esquivel@incae.edu.