The Pacific Alliance wishes to inform the citizens of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru that the 2024/2025 Call for the “Stipendium Hungaricum Program”, through which the Government of Hungary offers eight scholarships, is open.

Applicants will be able to enter the minimum required documents into the online system enabled by the Hungarian Government (https://apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu/) no later than January 15, 2024 at 2 pm (Central European Time): 7 am from Mexico/8 am from Colombia and Peru/10 am from Chile.

The benefits of the scholarship are as follows: free education, monthly stipend, accommodation contribution and health insurance.

The official page of Hungary that contains more information in English about the call is: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply/

The Pacific Alliance page that has general information in Spanish is: https://becas.alianzapacifico.net/ (Section “Other AP Scholarships”).

December 14, 2023.- The Workshop “Promote the participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in cross-border electronic commerce between the countries of the Pacific Alliance”, organized by the SME Technical Group and Entrepreneurship (GTPYME) of the PA, with the collaboration of the Republic of Korea, as an observer country of the regional bloc, and the technical assistance of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), was held yesterday in Santiago.

The Workshop, developed in ECLAC facilities, aimed to strengthen the capacities of MSMEs to facilitate their insertion in cross-border electronic commerce and brought together key actors for the development of this trade within the Pacific Alliance.

Furthermore, within the framework of the GTPYME Work Plan, this workshop had the purpose of giving continuity to the work that ECLAC has developed, within the framework of the Regional Digital Market Strategy in the PA that seeks to identify, in selected sectors, the obstacles faced by MSMEs to export through electronic and digital commerce within the bloc.

At the beginning of the workshop –and after the greeting from Keiji Inoue, officer in charge, Division of International Trade and Integration, ECLAC–, the director general (s) of Multilateral Economic Affairs of the Undersecretariat of International Economic Affairs of Chile, Alejandro Buvinic highlighted that “our disposition is that the MSMEs of the Pacific Alliance have a key role in international trade” and emphasized that “the final objective of the Regional Digital Market is to ensure that the MSMEs can market their products and services between the four countries with the same ease they do at the level of each country, considering that we have geographical proximity, the same language, time zones among many other positive externalities”.

Likewise, the counselor of the Embassy of Peru in Chile, Claudia Miranda, representing the pro tempore presidency of her country, highlighted the importance of MSMEs and emphasized the commitment established in the Strategic Vision 2030 of the Pacific Alliance, in order to strengthen and expand the participation of MSMEs, thus achieving effective use of the benefits generated by the Pacific Alliance.

For his part, the ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Chile, Hak Jae Kim, highlighted the implementation of this activity and his country’s interest in supporting work with MSMEs in the countries of the Pacific Alliance.

In the first part, Min-kyoung Park, Manager, Trade Information Department of KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), presented the experience of South Korea, especially the insertion of MSMEs in e-commerce.

Afterwards, the panel was developed: “Modalities of cross-border e-commerce between the PA countries and exportable offer of SMEs”, which analyzed the barriers or obstacles they face, the available digital commerce modalities, the exportable offer of each country, customs regimes, among other matters.

In the second panel, “Capacity building of MSMEs for cross-border e-commerce between PA countries and selection of MSMEs”, they focused on identifying the needs to promote export through cross-border e-commerce and defining types of support required to achieve this objective.

Next, in the panel on “Definition of technological solutions to support MSMEs”, concepts such as: Marketplace; Payment methods; Logistics solutions; Customer tracking; Marketing Tools; Sales Tools; Communication tools; Administrative Solutions, which are useful technologies that will facilitate access to cross-border trade for MSMEs.

In the last panel, on “Inputs for the action plan, goals, KPIs and monitoring”, the aim was to define the scope of the support program in terms of goals, duration, KPIs, monitoring and evaluation.

Among the panelists and moderators, there was the participation of representatives from ECLAC, the Inter-American Development Bank, the e-Commerce Institute, as well as representatives from unions and private sector companies, such as Mercado Pago, Mercado Libre, DHL, LAP, Payoneer, and platforms such as Amazon, Falabella, Linio. Also participated representatives from the four countries of the block, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, from the SME and Entrepreneurship technical groups, from Promotion Agencies, from Gender, from the Trade Facilitation Committee, and the Digital Economy Subcommittee.

Finally, the workshop concluded with the words of José Luis Castillo, general director of International Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru, pro tempore presidency of the Pacific Alliance, who highlighted that the workshop served as a crucial space, where key actors exchanged experiences and knowledge to strengthen electronic commerce among the member countries of the Pacific Alliance. In addition, he reaffirmed the commitment of the pro tempore presidency of Peru to continue promoting this type of workshops, which play a fundamental role in the formulation of policies aimed at promoting electronic commerce in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

December 14, 2023.- This Thursday took place the official launch of the Social Observatory of the Pacific Alliance (PA), designed and implemented by the Technical Group for Development and Social Inclusion of the PA, with technical support of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

It is a cutting-edge virtual instrument whose objective is to collect, systematize, manage and publish updated information on the social sector that contributes to the design and strengthening of public policies, improving the well-being of member countries, with a view to ensuring that the benefits of integration reach the subregional community, academics, public policy designers, as well as those practices that were applied in the field of Social Development to face the health crisis caused by COVID-19, and which in turn are aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Regional Agenda for Inclusive Social Development (ARDSI).

The Social Observatory was designed considering the following dimensions in its structure: Social Indicators (Education, Employment, Poverty, Income Distribution, Health, Food and Nutritional Security, Social Security, and Housing and Basic Services); Social Institutionality (rules, institutional design, management and financing tools); Social Investment (social spending); Social protection (programs); Actions against Emergencies and Social Innovation (in the field of social policies).

The dimension of “Social Institutionality” raises the recognition of the social structure of each of the countries; their management and financing tools on which they act. On the other hand, it is about identifying how the “Social Spending” of the region is being carried out, comparing the progress and challenges with the regional index for the establishment of proposals or response measures based on more inclusive and efficient public balances.

In the case of “Social Protection”, it is a favorable space that seeks to expose the main programs and initiatives that directly impact the well-being of citizens, reviewing key aspects about their response capacity, target audience, conditionalities, subprograms, among others.

A particular dimension is “Social Innovation”, which seeks to present the initiatives: platforms, actions or laboratories that are being implemented in each of the member countries and how these can be a means to mitigate the challenges in terms of poverty and inequality through innovative solutions to social problems.

It should be noted that the Social Observatory is a regional platform where two important components can be identified: a) its level of “instrumentalization”, to the extent that it allows academics, officials and policy makers to identify multiple data and tools for the design of new and better public policies; and b) its degree of “specialization and sustainability”, being a unique and specialized space that brings together figures and data in countries with common interests, population and geography through dynamic and updated information.

Finally, this instrument will make it possible to influence informed decision-making for the design of better public and social policies in the countries of the Pacific Alliance through the review of indicators and social data, and the strengthening of programs and the reorientation of interventions in the field of Social Protection towards the valorization of social investment to reduce gaps and inequalities.

You can access the Social Observatory at: https://observatorioalianzapacifico.cepal.org/es

• It is an electronic platform that seeks to promote the participation of the business, academic and civil society sectors, in order to share relevant information on public procurement, with a view to eliminating barriers to trade and interacting on issues related to said matter in the Pacific Alliance.

December 4, 2023.- This Monday the official launch of the Public Procurement Observatory of the Pacific Alliance (PA), created by the Public Procurement Committee of the PA, took place. Its objective is to generate relevant knowledge, through data collection, carry out analysis, studies or diagnoses and other required actions on specific topics linked to public procurement, which are of interest to the private sector, academia and civil society. This is with the purpose that said knowledge will later serve to contribute to the Committee’s discussions aimed at eliminating trade barriers in public purchases of the PA.

Additionally, through the Observatory we seek to generate greater interaction with the business and academic sectors, with civil society and with the relevant institutions, through the publication of the knowledge generated on the Observatory’s web platform, and the subsequent publication of the aforementioned knowledge. The above, with the purpose of promoting a space for greater reflection on the topics studied by the Observatory.

In this tool, the public from the aforementioned sectors will be able to find information about topics aimed at eliminating barriers and limitations in Public Procurement markets, such as the implementation of trade agreements in this matter, the behavior of public procurement systems, sustainable public purchases, among others.

They will also be able to access a series of documents on the discipline of public procurement, such as studies, statistics, articles whether prepared by the Public Procurement Committee or by invited collaborators; as well as access public procurement news from PA members, and upcoming Public Procurement events in the PA in which they can participate and provide their comments and input.

You can access the Public Procurement Observatory at:
https://alianzapacifico.net/observatorio-compras-publicas-ap/

• From November 20 to December 20, 2023, through www.retinalatina.org an exhibition of four (4) short films on youth and the processes involved in this stage will be shown.

• Through this activity, the result of international cooperation between Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, short films will be presented free of charge to the Latin American public, who will be able to approach this interesting audiovisual proposal about four young people and the challenges they face in their transition to adulthood.

From November 20 to December 20, 2023, the Technical Group on Culture of the Pacific Alliance, made up of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, will present the short film series: Youth: Diverse Perspectives, which can be viewed on the Retina Latina platform www.retinalatina.org.

The cycle of short films will present four (4) audiovisual pieces: Ser Eclipse (Chile, 2022), María Salvaje (Colombia, 2022), Boca Punk (Mexico, 2021) and Untitled (Peru, 2018), which narrate from different perspectives the passage through youth and the feelings and questions that emerge at this stage of life before each challenge and opportunity that arises.

This initiative is part of the promotion and integration strategy of the work plan defined by the Technical Group on Culture of the Pacific Alliance for 2023, and seeks to strengthen a space of fraternity that allows to appreciate the cinematographic wealth of each country, and how this medium can contribute and show the reality of many young people in our countries.

The film showcase can be seen free of charge through www.retinalatina.org, a digital platform for international cooperation to watch Latin American cinema, of public character and free access for the citizens of Latin America and the Caribbean. These audiovisual pieces will be available on its app for iOS and Android.

As part of this cycle, on Thursday, December 14, a conversation will be held with the four (4) directors of the short films with the aim of exploring the creative thread around these productions, as well as establishing a space for dialogue on Latin American cinematography.

About the short films

The short films will be available at www.retinalatina.org until December 20, 2023.

• Ser Eclipse (Chile, 2022). Synopsis: In the south of Chile, Nicolas, a young man trapped by his darkness is left alone at home when his sister Isabel leaves to go to the city. Nicolas must once again face his addiction to video games. As he hits rock bottom and faces his shadows, Isabel takes him to Luz Clara, a medicine woman who guides him in a healing ritual. After a profound journey of connection with the four elements and a solar eclipse, Nicolás manages to take a step towards the light of his being.

• María Salvaje (Colombia, 2022). Synopsis: For eight years, the camera follows the transition from childhood to adolescence of María, a little girl from the Amorúa community in Puerto Carreño. The granddaughter of nomads who wandered for centuries on the plains of Vichada, the girl is transformed into a woman in front of our eyes in the midst of the world of the “rationals”. Maria thus lives in the interstice between two worlds bordering the banks of the Orinoco: the “whites” and the Amorúa. Far from moral judgment, this uncomfortable portrait engages with the ambiguities of her character and raises pressing questions about the future of María and so many other young indigenous people facing a world that does not seem to offer them a place.

• Boca Punk (Mexico, 2021). Synopsis: After not being picked up by her mom from her tennis class, Carmen, a quiet and introverted 15-year-old girl, finds herself walking home alone in fear, when she suddenly runs into a punk entity who will show her a new world where she can finally be accepted as she is.

• Untitled (Peru, 2018). Synopsis: Enrique is a 16-year-old boxer who lives with his grandmother. When his estranged father decides to go to live in another city, he will take away the little support given to him. In this process, he will become aware of the harsh reality he has to live, but he will continue to fight for his dreams.

One of the objectives of the Technical Group on Culture of the Pacific Alliance is to promote the development of the cultural and creative industries of the member countries, based on the international projection of the identity and diversity of its member countries.

Activity within the framework of the short film series

Conversation with the directors

With the participation of directors Vicente Manzano (Chile), Liliana Matsuyama (Colombia), Thelma Ruiz (Mexico), and Hans Matos (Peru).

Thursday, December 14, 2023
14:00 h. Mexico

15:00 h. Peru and Colombia

17:00 h. Chile

Zoom platform:

https://cultura-gob-pe.zoom.us/j/89670441751?pwd=R083Tk95WVMvcC81NklicU1IL2hLdz09

Meeting ID: 896 7044 1751

Passcode: 749813

November 14, 2023.- On November 10, 2023, the webinar “Climate Change: vulnerability and possible effects on fisheries and aquaculture” was held, an event that brought together more than 100 attendees from the different countries that participate in the Network of Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Institutions of the Pacific Alliance (IIPA-AP Network), which includes Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, in addition to Argentina.

Presentations were made by Dr. Jaime Letelier of the Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP), Chile; Dr. Adolfo Chamorro of the Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE), Dr. Micaela Giorgini of the Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP), Argentina; and Dr. Doris Soto of the Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Chile.

In their presentations, the experts shared information on current and future oceanographic conditions along the national coasts, including the influence of environmental variability on the sustainability of biodiversity and fishing and aquaculture activities. They also emphasized the importance of research and monitoring; education and awareness raising; the need for collaboration between different institutions and countries; and the generation of public policies based on scientific information. All this to advance towards the adaptation of the fisheries and aquaculture sector to climate change.

This webinar, organized by IFOP, is one of the activities contained in the Work Plan 2023-2024 of the IIPA-AP Network. This type of event seeks to generate spaces for rapprochement and discussion between the research institutions that make up the Network, as well as with other actors associated with the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the region. The event was attended by professionals from the Undersecretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Chile; Colombia Productiva, an entity belonging to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia; representatives of the Technical Groups of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Environment and Green Growth of the Pacific Alliance; among others.

9 November 2023.- Within the framework of the II Meeting of the SME Exporter of the Pacific Alliance (PA), which took place on November 9 and 10, in the city of Lima, Peru, the Public-Private Dialogue was held in relation to the proposal of the Public-Private Roadmap, which is currently being developed by the PA SME and Entrepreneurship Technical Group, with a view to promoting the growth, development and competitiveness of the business activity of MSMEs in the economies of the member countries of the Pacific Alliance.

The Dialogue aimed to establish a shared understanding of the challenges faced by MSMEs and entrepreneurship in the four countries and how the public and private sector can jointly address them; the promotion of cooperation between the public sector, businesses and other stakeholders to implement effective measures in support of MSMEs and Entrepreneurship; analyzing the impact of previous policies and programs related to MSMEs and Entrepreneurship, and determining what has worked and what needs to be improved; and promoting transparency in the decision-making process with all stakeholders.

This activity was led by the Pacific Alliance SME and Entrepreneurship Technical Group, with the participation of international organizations, including the IDB, OECD and ECLAC, representatives of micro, small and medium-sized companies, representatives of cooperatives and trade associations, and representatives of the PA Business Council (CEAP).

It should be noted that this type of dialogue is essential to facilitate collaboration with a view to establishing shared objectives and joint work strategies to address challenges more effectively.

November 9.- With the participation of representatives of trade unions, chambers of commerce, entrepreneurs, exporting companies and companies with export potential, the II Meeting of the Exporting SME of the Pacific Alliance was held in Lima, Peru.

The activity organized by the PA Business Council (CEAP), with the support of the Technical Group on SMEs and Entrepreneurship of the Pacific Alliance, aimed to promote the internationalization of MSMEs in the region.

During the meeting, topics related to the sustainability management of SMEs in the Pacific Alliance, digitalization and financial inclusion, e-commerce and artificial intelligence for SMEs were addressed.

Success stories of SMEs exporting goods and services from the countries that make up this mechanism were also presented.

The event was inaugurated by the Minister of Production of Peru, Ana María Choquehuanca, and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Juan Carlos Mathews, in their capacity as pro tempore presidency of the mechanism.