AID cooperative agreement no. 520-0403-A-00-3257-00 to Gremial de Exportadores de Productos No Tradicionales [Guild of Non-Traditional Product Exporters] to support policy reform, non-traditional export development and improved labor relations under the trade and labor relations development [TLRD] program

To support policy reform, the Gremial will participate in trade policy analysis and dialogue. This will include working with the National Export Council; supporting international trade negotiations; analyzing monetary, tariff, transportation, and financial policies; and promoting deregulation of import and export processes. To improve labor relations and encourage greater cooperation on labor issues among labor, the public sector, and the private sector, the Gremial will provide training and TA to strengthen the private sector"s understanding of labor issues and to encourage more modern methods of labor-management relations. Assistance will highlight the relationship between improved labor relations and increased productivity and competitiveness. Thirdly, the Gremial will provide nontraditional exporters with short-term TA and training to improve their business skills, production techniques, and quality control. In addition, Gremial staff will receive training to improve their technical skills and knowledge. The Gremial will promote greater private sector involvement in nontraditional exports by developing promotional materials, supporting participation by local exporters in international trade shows, and maintaining a trade information center. The success of the component will be measured in terms of new or expanded NTE contracts. Finally, the Gremial will encourage sustainable use of natural resources in NTE development by continuing to fund its Applied Agricultural Research Fund and its Program for the Integrated Use of Pesticides (both initiated under project 5200274), and by funding environmentally related studies.