As part of its Women and International Trade Program, ProCórdoba Agency carries out different activities for women exporters from the Province of Córdoba. The motto driving the latest event was "Business and Export: Women on the Frontline." The participants were women exporters and entrepreneurs from different sectors, who shared insight and their experience regarding the role of women in the world of work and personal paths.
The purpose of the activity was to share experiences that encourage the development and growth of women exporters or women entrepreneurs with an export potential, by talking about challenges, barriers, visions and possible paths to follow.
International Trade Center's Claudia Uribe participated from Geneva, Switzerland via Skype. She focused on the importance of enhancing the visibility of companies so that they can grow not only in the international trade market, but also in the local market. She also singled out the diversity of the sectors covered by Cordobese women entrepreneurs. The ITC encourages the participation of entrepreneurs in the SheTrades platform - of which ProCórdoba is a verifying organization -, so that they can enhance their connections and gain potential counterparts abroad, apart from obtaining tools and maps which are highly useful when studying destination markets.
Other participants in the meetings were: the Chamber of Foreign Trade of Córdoba's International Business Manager Claudia Fiant, Feas Electrónica's President Susana Haas, Natocor's Representative Nélida López de Colautti, Oscar Dulce SA's shareholder manager Natalia Dulce, Oil, Gas and Mining Cluster Representative Karina Corradi (also as manager of Antares), Ithrees Global's representative Belén Rojo Stabrik, Gráfica Latina's Natalia Heyd, Valor-A's María Victoria Ricca, and Vidpia Vidrios Piazze's Lorena Piazze.
The Central Role of the State
Natalia Heyd shared grateful words,
"In this event organized by ProCórdoba... I've been in heaven. I am very happy: hearing life stories, other women entrepreneurs' realities both in industry and services... It's always enriching. We must capitalize on these opportunities and the tools that the organizations put at our disposal. When we started the company, these possibilities and access to this program did not exist."
María Victoria Ricca, on the other hand, said,
"The role of public institutions is essential, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the country, for accompanying and supporting the firms' internationalization efforts."
"I believe there are no limits to women's possibility of growing in work and international trade. Granted, support is crucial both in the family and the company, which has to provide access to decision-making and the possibility of being the face of the firm," she finished.
Lorena Piazze also shared her thoughts:
"Participating in this kind of events is what helps you take a break from everyday life and focus on what's important, get an overview, become aware of where you are at, see where others are at, and connect with peers."
Natalia Heyd, for her part, concluded,
"Learning about the experiences of women entrepreneurs on the road to export fills me with pride and joy. The event has far surpassed y expectations."
All the Voices Present
Representing the entrepreneurial sector were: Anita Barrionuevo Calzados' founder and creative director Anita Barrionuevo, Con Cortes-Casita de Muñecas' head Marcela Gallardo, and Flores Moll Mujer's founder María Angélica Flores.
María Victoria Moncada, General Director of Coordination for the program "Córdoba with Women", was present on behalf of the Department for Employment Equity and Promotion. ProCórdoba works side by side with this department to detect women producers in a certain stage of development who may be eligible for training activities aimed at giving them tools for entering and exploring the export world.
Representing ProCórdoba were General Manager Roberto Rossotto and Cooperation and International Relations Manager Viviana Arias. Viviana was the event's organizer and coordinator.
