The Guatemalan-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) reaffirmed its commitment to promote a culture of compliance in the business sector during the Compliance Summit 2024. An event considered to be a central space to consolidate ethics and transparency practices that strengthen corporate integrity and compliance regulatory, necessary. factors to create a favorable environment that promotes economic development and attracts foreign investment to the country.
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“Compliance is a fundamental pillar to build solid and responsible companies, able to compete in international markets and contribute to the economic development of Guatemala. The Compliance Summit seeks to support our partners in maintaining high ethical standards, which benefit both the private sector and Guatemalan society,” said Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz, executive director of AmCham Guatemala.
The opening of the event was led by Jensen Samayoa, president of the AmCham Compliance Committee and Legal and Executive Compliance officer at Coca-Cola FEMSA, who emphasized the critical importance of compliance in the current business context and its role in the companies’ sustainability. .
The Compliance Summit 2024 addressed relevant and cutting-edge topics, such as the conference “Beyond Compliance: a journey to business sustainability and resilience”, presented by Coca-Cola FEMSA. Likewise, Aldo Vallejo, president of the Global Compact, shared a session on “How to integrate the SDGs in the compliance strategy?”, emphasizing the importance of preparing the next generation in compliance training.
The 2024 Compliance Summit kicks off with opening remarks from AmCham Executive Director Waleska Sterkel and Jensen Samayoa, President of the AmCham Compliance Committee. #ComplianceSummit2024 #GuatemalaEmpresarial#Corporate Compliance pic.twitter.com/g5FWancFSu
— AmCham Guatemala (@AmChamGT) November 13, 2024
The event also featured an expert panel consisting of Zoltán Rodas, president of the World Compliance Association, and Hernán Herrera, Compliance Manager at Inversiones Centroamericanas, SA, who analyzed today’s compliance challenges, perspectives and opportunities. Marlon Vásquez, Comptroller and Compliance Manager of Grupo Cayalá, moderated the panel “The Role of the Compliance Officer in investment matters”, demonstrating how effective compliance management can be a catalyst to attract investment and economic stability.
In that context, AmCham Guatemala reiterated its commitment to continue working to build a business sector that promotes sustainable economic growth, respects current regulations and promotes a culture of ethics and transparency, strengthening investor confidence in the country .
– What are the key topics covered at the Compliance Summit 2024 hosted by AmCham Guatemala?
Interviewer: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to this special edition of Time.news where we dive deep into significant developments that shape our business landscape. Today, we’re thrilled to have with us Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz, the Executive Director of the Guatemalan-American Chamber of Commerce, or AmCham Guatemala. We’re here to discuss the recently concluded Compliance Summit 2024 and its implications for businesses in Guatemala. Welcome, Waleska!
Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz: Good morning! Thank you for having me. It’s an honor to be here and discuss such an important topic.
Interviewer: Waleska, to start, can you tell us why the Compliance Summit 2024 was organized and what objectives AmCham aimed to achieve?
Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz: Absolutely! The primary goal of the Compliance Summit was to promote a culture of compliance in the business sector. In today’s globalized economy, businesses must adhere to high ethical standards. Compliance is not just about following the law; it’s about building integrity and ensuring sustainability in corporate practices. Our commitment at AmCham is to strengthen these principles to foster an environment conducive to economic development and attract foreign investment to Guatemala.
Interviewer: That’s vital for the economic landscape. Compliance can be a complex concept for many businesses, especially smaller ones. How does AmCham plan to support companies in this area?
Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz: That’s a great question! We aim to support our partners by providing resources, training, and networking opportunities. During the summit, we featured presentations from industry leaders, like Jensen Samayoa from Coca-Cola FEMSA, who highlighted the critical importance of compliance for business sustainability. We also discussed topics like integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into compliance strategies, which I believe is a significant area for growth.
Interviewer: Jensen Samayoa gave an opening speech that emphasized business sustainability during the summit. In what ways do you believe this approach can reshape business practices in Guatemala?
Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz: Jensen’s points were incredibly insightful. By focusing on sustainability, businesses are encouraged to think long-term rather than just short-term profitability. It’s about creating resilient companies that can withstand market fluctuations while also being socially responsible. When companies adopt sustainable practices, they not only enhance their reputations but also lower risks and open doors to international markets where consumers are increasingly looking for ethical products.
Interviewer: You also mentioned training the next generation of compliance leaders. Can you elaborate on this aspect?
Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz: Yes! Preparing the next generation is crucial for the future of business in Guatemala. We need to embed compliance training into educational curriculums and provide opportunities for internships and mentoring within businesses. Leaders like Aldo Vallejo from the Global Compact are pushing this initiative forward, emphasizing that a solid understanding of compliance is essential for future business leaders to thrive in a globalized world.
Interviewer: That sounds promising! In light of the recent summit, what do you envision as the next steps for AmCham and for businesses regarding compliance?
Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz: Moving forward, AmCham will continue to facilitate conversations and collaborations among businesses, government, and civil society to create a more transparent and ethical business environment. We aim to hold more events like the Compliance Summit and develop continuous support systems, helping businesses implement best practices. Our ultimate goal is to create a strong community of compliant businesses that can contribute significantly to Guatemala’s economic growth.
Interviewer: Thank you, Waleska, for sharing these insights. It’s clear that the path to a more compliant and sustainable business environment in Guatemala is full of potential.
Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz: Thank you so much for having me! I look forward to seeing how these initiatives unfold and positively impact our country’s economy and corporate culture.
Interviewer: Absolutely! We’ll be keeping a close eye on the developments from AmCham. Thank you to our viewers for tuning in, and we hope to see you next time on Time.news!