Britcham President speech at New Members Welcome Event

President of the Board of Directors British-Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce (BritCham)

Good evening,

– Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Carolyn Davidson

– New members of Britcham, in chronological order:

•  La Legión Seguridad
• FAMA Distribuciones
• Corporación Balder
• Logicomer
• Grupo CSC
• Novales Abogados

Central Distribuidora

– Associates, and Friends who accompany us

On behalf of Britcham, I thank the British Ambassador, Carolyn Davidson, for being the gentle host of this welcome event for our new members, since without you, the chamber wouldn´t exist, and therefore we are very grateful for your support.

Let us remember that BritCham is constituted by British initiative, to encourage and promote our commercial exchange, with the firm purpose of bringing the best of Guatemala to the United Kingdom. But, very especially, with the mission promoting the best conditions in the country to attract the greatest of the United Kingdom to Guatemala.

Now, for a better understanding of our mission, it is healthy to attend history. As you may know…, From the late eighteenth century, the United Kingdom, was the firstborn to evolve and transcend with every step that has naturally led it to be in the fifth position in the world economy, with a gross domestic product of almost three trillion dollars , with a per capita income of $45.000 dollars, distributed among 65 million inhabitants, and all eager to spend. The United Kingdom, as we know it today, then begins as a rural economy of agriculture and trade, which transforms into an urban, industrialized and mechanized economy, marking the first Industrial revolution, during which wealth and Per capita income multiply as never in the history of humanity, to finally give rise to the scientific revolution.

After this 300-year journey, the UK becomes a very dynamic economy, with high trends in clustering and co-operation in groups (or clusters) of: services, intellectual property, and high-tech manufacturing. In which, “the way of Harry Potter”, the entrepreneur has no choice but to go to the magic of creativity and the power of mind to earn a living…

As an example, one of the clusters we want to explore together with our partners is the California Silicon Valley equivalent, which in the UK case we call the Silicon Fen, which is located near Cambridge.

It is that in this small space that occupies a radius of 25 miles, many of the main companies in the sector of electronics, software, and bio-technology are grouped, among them: ARM Holdings.

It is estimated that, at Cambridge Cluster, with more than 1.500 enterprises, which employ around 50.000 people, a quarter of the combined investment capital of UK start-ups is channelled. However, it is not only in science-based industries that we observe this clustering phenomenon, but it is practically observed in all of the UK’s economic activities, from the manufacture of vinyl flooring, to the industry of cinema and theatre…

In conclusion, it is precisely this current phenomenon of cooperation at the level in which we want to link BritCham, to establish concrete and punctual links of trade and prosperity between the United Kingdom and our dear Guatemala.

Therefore, as we have said, we have a great way to go, and we have a lot of ground to explore.
To conclude, on behalf of the Guatemalan British Chamber of Commerce, I invite you to join me in giving a warm applause to welcome our new associates.

¡Many thanks!