Its main objective is to support and prepare exporters in their international trade efforts, technical services are provided through the following departments:

AGEXPORT's School of Foreign Trade

The School of Foreign Trade is recognized both nationally and internationally for it excellence in export training. Its mission is to enhance the export performance of Guatemala by setting and raising professional standards in international trade management and export practice. This is achieved by the provision of education and training programmes, which include the following:

· Seminars, workshops, training programs and events focused in foreign trade.

· Intra-company training, developing programs according to the needs of the companies.

· Counseling, with a group of consultants specialized in exports that are able to provide guidance in specific topics to companies.

· Videoconference - training provided through video technology.

Commercial Promotion

Its mission is to assist Guatemalan exporters in the use of international promotion tools that successfully position their products in foreign markets. AGEXPORT organizes international trade shows in Guatemala, and trade missions and booths in international trade shows abroad.

Information and Analysis

Provides entrepreneurs with the latest market knowledge available, to support decisions regarding products and markets. It also offers market research services, international buyers' data bases and company specific credit reports.

Marketing and Communication

This division strengthens AGEXPORT by recruiting new exporters and organizing a series of events and publications in an effort to have a close relationship with its members; these activities include: Annual Members Meeting, Export Awards, Publication of a monthly trade magazine (Data-Export), the Exporters Directory, and Administration of the Institutional Web Portal, among others.

CONTACT BUSINESS CENTERS

AGEXPORT, USAID, Microsoft, and other innovative business alliances, developed the concept of the CONTACTO franchise. The objective that each CONTACTO Business Center has is to provide support to the Mipymes (micro, small, and medium-sized companies, by its initials in Spanish) through office services, telecommunications, information, and technology that will increase their trade potential.

Agricultural and Research Development Program - PIDA -
(By its initials in Spanish)

The Agricultural Investigation and Development Program -PIDA-, supports producers and exports in applied agriculture investigation, resulting in the development of new products and improved varieties.

DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

Supports the development of small rural producers and inquires about resources that improve the competitiveness of the export companies.

The Development Division has obtained funds to develop high impact projects; it has also helped in the consolidation of commercial alliances, especially for those products with market potential for the small and medium size producers.

DECENTRALIZED SERVICES DIVISION

This Division works closely with Government entities to provide efficient services required by exporters in order to successfully compete in the international market. These services are:

Electronic Service of Export Authorization - SEADEX -

SEADEX is a program that allows an electronic link between exporters and the VUPE -Export Authorization Office- . The goal of this program is to expedite the export documentation process and provide a 24 hour service that adjusts to companies' schedule, without having to be present at the VUPE office.

Office for the Active Perfection of Regimes - OPA -

This program is carried out together with finance, economy, and tax governmental authorities. Its purpose is to simplify and speed up customs procedures from companies under the 29-89 decree (Draw back law).

Agricultural and Environmental Integral Protection program

- PIPAA - (By its initials in Spanish)

The Agricultural and Environmental Integral Protection Program - PIPAA-, is a food safety inspection and pre certification program recognized by the highest governmental agriculture authority in Guatemala.

Joint programs are also coordinated with private and public sector institutions. Following is a list of such programs:

Council of Users of Guatemalan International Transport -CUTRIGUA-

This council serves international cargo industry users. Cutrigua overseas matters such as: security, tariff negotiation, and transport legislation analysis.

Program of Commercial Attachés, Investment, and Tourism

- PACIT - (By its initials in Spanish)

This program includes 9 trade offices located around the world (Los Angeles; New York; Miami; Washington; Mexico City; Santo Domingo, Montreal, and Berlin) in an effort to provide Guatemalan export companies access to the most important foreign markets.