BIM assists local producers meet international standards
Belizean producers are being encouraged to find new markets for their products and improve quality. The Belize Institute of Management, BIM, under its Trade Promotion and Business Development project, has been assisting local companies with a diverse range of products to compete with international products. Two more proposals have been approved for funding and technical assistance. One is from the Citrus Growers Association and the other Rainforest Remedies, Ixchel Farms. The proposals were signed Friday afternoon.
Reynaldo Guerrero, Managing Director of BIM says while Belizeans may be familiar with the products of Rainforest Remedies, they have to be produced within a quality framework for export. The institute’s assistance will make that possible.
Reynaldo Guerrero, Managing Director, BIM
“Because of the fact that they export to Europe, Europe demands that importers into Europe, in this case an exporter from Belize, must be ISO nine thousand certified, which is a quality standard that basically says if you say you are doing certain things, then you are doing it. And there’s an inspection and an audit system that they come and inspect their businesses to ensure that they are actually producing a quality product.”
Crystal Arvigo, Rainforest Remedies, Ixchel Farms
“Right now it’s the perfect time for products like ours. People are riding the wave of natural remedies and alternative methods of healing. So I think right now we have perfect timing for the market entry people are really interested in it and looking for ways to become healthier individuals and healthier lives and to not use so many of the drugs that oftentimes have so many side effects.”
The citrus industry was not among the list of diverse products the institute was initially considering, but given the many problems the industry has been experiencing, BIM decided to support their effort, within certain guidelines. Their project would use organic material, like manure, to fertilize their trees to try to get a better tasting juice. Products which use only organic material are worth as much as twenty-five percent to one hundred percent more on the European market.
Reynaldo Guerrero
“Almost following the trend that the organic cocoa had taken were they were becoming competitive within a niche market by dealing with organic product, so even though we were not supporting a citrus project, we felt the niche market of the organic citrus would be an ideal project to look into.”
Bridget Cullerton, CEO, Citrus Growers Association
“The restrictions are not restrictions in what might be called a critical sense. There are more a shortened timeline. There are more accountability built into it, for instance the productability need to be more than is typical of the IDB program but then that’s what we’re about at Citrus Growers.”
Janelle Chanona for News Five.
The Belize Institute of Management supports products such as fruit preservatives, peppers, honey, snacks and dried foods. The Belize Institute of Management identifies products and then develops ways to meet the requirements for export and competition abroad.
