Business In Action By Amcham

Primera Ediciรณn ABRIL 2016

leadership CIRCLE

Da-gas Una alternativa de defensa al medio ambiente

TIPIC ASME: La certificaciรณn clave para el 2016

www.amchamguate.com

In Action EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Waleska Sterkel de Ortiz Email: wsterkel@amchamguate.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Editor: Mariangel Ruiz comunicacion@amchamguatemala.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Gabriela Flores publicaciones@amchamguate.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Will Drennan Gabriel Luna

TRANSLATION Will Drennan

CONTRIBUTORS Eduardo Cabrera TIPIC

Daniel Hurtarte Da- Gas

Cristina Sandoval Immigration Law Committee President.

María Inés Valle Balsells Trade Center Coordinator.

Kristina Gaitán Committees Coordinator.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES 5a. Avenida 5-55 Zona 14, Edificio Europlaza Torre I, Nivel 5.

Phone: +502 2417-0800 Website: www.amchamguate.com

COPYRIGHT All material appearing in Business In Aciton By AmCham is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material. Business in Action takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. Views

Editorial

Vientos de cambios que impulsan la productividad La Cámara de Comercio Guatemalteco Americana -AMCHAMse ha caracterizado por casi 50 años en ser su Concierge para sus negocios, promoviendo relaciones comerciales entre Guatemala y Estados Unidos con el objetivo de fortalecer la actividad económica con nuestro principal socio comercial.

Nos hemos caracterizado por ser una organización líder, proactiva y capaz de tener un impacto positivo con los asociados, la comunidad y el gobierno; esta ha sido nuestra visión durante este tiempo y lo hemos logrado, pero como el viento que no espera y busca nuevos espacios así es AMCHAM buscando siempre la innovación y el crecimiento.

Este año empezamos con pie derecho, una extraordinaria nueva junta directiva de la cual estamos muy orgullosos por su liderazgo y profesionalismo, así mismo, representar a un grupo selecto de líderes en los mercados con nuestro programa Leadership Circle, en el que 10 empresas socias nacionales e internacionales forman parte y que deseamos brindarle amplias oportunidades de desarrollo comercial, herramientas fundamentales para influir en el mercado de EE.UU., así como la facilitación de información y acercamiento a las agencias políticas, comerciales y regulatorias regionales, entre otros.

nuevos servicios en la búsqueda de empleo, posicionamiento de comités que representan a diversos sectores productivos, son algunas de las nuevas ideas que trae este tornado.

Este viento que nos espera es rápido y fuerte, nuestro staff es parte vital para la productividad y el cambio que AMCHAM y sus socios necesitan, es por ello que este año la innovación es uno de los objetivos principales de esta Cámara y esperamos sorprenderlo con lo que viene, empezando por nuestra nueva estrategia de comunicación (AmCham In Action) a la cual daremos vida en este mes y le invitamos a que interactúe con nosotros en nuestra nueva plataforma www.amchamguate.com así como en nuestras redes sociales: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, youtube y Flickr.

Será un honor que pueda acercarse y vivir con nosotros esta nueva experiencia en AMCHAM, su Concierge para sus negocios.

“

La innovación es lo que distingue a los líderes de los seguidores” -Steve Jobs-

Waleska Sterkel Directora Ejecutiva

Nuevos nichos de mercados en EE.UU., más ferias y misiones comerciales, creación de nuevos clientes internacionales y nacionales, nuevas citas de negocios, cambio de imagen institucional, creación y modificación de eventos anuales, incorporación de

expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or editor.

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ร ndice

CONTENT

Abril 2016

04

Amcham in Pictures

Noticias y Eventos mรกs relevantes de Amcham.

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NEW MEMBERS Conoce a nuestros nuevos socios

06

Leadership Circle: Da-Gas Una alternativa en defensa del medio ambiente.

17

EVENTS

Prรณximos eventos

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08

Leadership Circle: TIPIC ASME: La certificaciรณn clave para el 2016

SAVE THE DATE Amcham Golf Tournament

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10

14

LABOR SUMMIT 2016

Commitee

Congreso especializado para Recursos Humanos.

Inmigration Law in Guatemala.

Trade & Invest Dallas...a city to live in with investment opportunities.

www.amchamguate.com

Abril 2016 Business in Action 3

AMCHAM IN PICTURES

Noticias más relevantes Desayuno Presidencial 19 de enero 2016- Desayuno Presidencial en el que se tuvo presencia del Presidente de la República de Guatemala Jimmy Morales y del Embajador de Estados Unidos en Guatemala, Todd D. Robinson.

XVII Festival del Empleo 25 y 26 de enero 2016- Festival del Empleo de AMCHAM, 10,052 asistentes en busca de oportunidades laborales y más de 34 empresas ofertando plazas de trabajo.

Asamblea general 10 de febrero 2016- Elección de la nueva Junta Directiva para 2016 en la Asamblea General de Amcham Guatemala.

Leardership Circle Cocktail 08 de marzo- Coctel de bienvenida a exclusivos patrocinadores de Amcham Guatemala , Leadership Circle.

4 Business in Action Abril 2016

www.amchamguate.com

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Leadership Circle es un programa exclusivo de patrocinadores de AmCham Guatemala el cual busca ser un aliado estratégico para su organización, brindándoles amplias oportunidades de desarrollo comercial, herramientas fundamentales para influir en el mercado de EE.UU., así como la facilitación de información y acercamiento a las agencias políticas, comerciales y regionales.

Leadership Circle is an exclusive sponsorship program that supports AmCham Guatemala. In the search of being a strategic partner for each organization, we provide them plenty of opportunities for commercial development and the necessary tools to have in impact within the American Market. In addition, we also facilitate the gathering of information and matchmaking with political, commercial, and regional agencies.

AmCham crea este programa con el objetivo de brindar todos los servicios de una forma personalizada, brindando presencia de marca en toda nuestra comunicación apoyando así al crecimiento y desarrollo de su empresa.

AmCham created this program with the main objective to provide all services in a more personalized manner, this allows its members to grow and develop their brands by having their presence in all means of AmCham communication.

Actualmente 11 empresas forman parte de este gran círculo y estamos orgullosos de poder representarlos.

As of this moment 11 companies form this great Circle, and we are humbled to say the least to represent them all.

• Bantrab • Central Law • Comprehensive Global Solutions Corp. (CGS) • DA- GAS • DHL, S.A. • Fundación Bantrab

www.amchamguate.com

• • • • •

Intel Monterrey Logistics Banco Promerica TIPIC, S.A. Walmart de México y Centroamérica.

Junio 2016 Business in Action Magazine

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LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Una alternativa en defensa del medio ambiente Da-Gas empresa líder a nivel nacional de distribucion de Gas Licuado de Petróleo (GLP).

Artículo por: Daniel Hurtarte.

G “Protegiendo el medio ambiente incentivando el consumo de gas propano”.

6

Business in Action Abril 2016

lobal Gas incursiona en Guatemala con la primera planta de envasado y distribución de GLP en el mercado a partir del 2004, bajo la marca comercial Da-Gas. Esta nace por la necesidad que existiera una empresa responsable, que garantizara seguridad y un constante mantenimiento de los cilindros y tanques.

Además DaGas elabora todo tipo de mezcla de gas propano y butano de la más alta calidad acorde a la necesidad de las empresas o industrias.

Da-Gas es una empresa Guatemalteca dedicada a la comercialización de Gas Licuado de Petróleo, brindan productos de alta calidad y www.amchamguate.com

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

confiabilidad suministrándoles productos de acuerdo a las necesidades del mercado. De esta manera fomentan una relación de confianza y beneficio mutuo, entre sus clientes y proveedores.

Dentro de la misión de Da-Gas cuentan con un componente muy importante que es proteger el medio ambiente eliminando el consumo de leña e incentivando el consumo de gas propano.

Actualmente cuentan con 11 agencias a nivel nacional: Planta Petapa zona 12 Planta Kilometro 10 zona 18 Bodega Milpas Altas Planta Cantel Xela Bodega Retalhuleu Bodega Barberena Bodega Teculutan

Bodega Quiche Planta Puerto Barrios Bodega Peten Bodega Cobán

En base en lo anterior para DaGas es importante ser reconocida como la empresa líder a nivel nacional en la distribución del gas licuado de petróleo y promotora de alternativas en función de la defensa del medio ambiente.

www.amchamguate.com

March 2016 Business in Action Magazine

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LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

ASME: La certificación clave para el 2016

“El compromiso es hacer de la calidad un hábito de trabajo.”

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Business in Action Abril 2016

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LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Artículo por: Eduardo Cabrera.

T

IPIC, S.A es una empresa con un giro industrial que se especializa en las construcciones y fabricaciones metalmecánicas de alta calidad, inicia sus labores en Guatemala en 1960 bajo la firma Estadounidense PITTSBURGH DES-MOINES STEEL COMPANY, con métodos y prácticas fundamentados bajo tecnología francesa no fue hasta el 1968 cuando se contó con técnicos nacionales de alta capacidad y experiencia.

Para TIPIC, S.A. Ser el mejor aliado para su empresa en donde puedan desarrollar proyectos innovadores en conjunto y brindarles la atención y las soluciones de alto valor frente a sus necesidades, así como ser la principal empresa de fabricación y montaje en la industria metalmecánica de la región son algunos de sus principales objetivos.

La aprobación de la Certificación ASME es uno de los objetivos para este 2016 ya que la misma colocaría a TIPIC, S.A. como la única Empresa en dicha rama certificada de la región.

En base en lo anterior, la diversificación de la líneas de producción para enfrentar los desafíos que exige un mercado globalizado y seguir en la búsqueda de la excelencia comprometiéndose a hacer de la calidad un hábito de trabajo.

COMMITTEE

Immigration Law in Guatemala Artículo por: Cristina Sandoval Saravia Abogada y Notaria / Attorney at Law Asociada Consortium Legal - Guatemala

As a legal and political institution, the State of Guatemala must ensure the population of the Republic integral personal development, this is, to guarantee the means for individuals to develop in all fields of human life: social, family, economic, and cultural spheres, among others.

The Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala is the supreme law comprised of a set of fundamental principles and rules of the State. Freedom of movement is among these principles and rights.

It states that “every person has the right to enter, remain in, pass through, and leave the national territory and change domicile or residence with no restrictions other than those established within the law...” For this reason and as a constitutional guarantee to meet the integral development of individuals, freedom of movement must include both, Guatemalan and foreign. This is why immigration to Guatemala needs to be understood as a right with lawful limitations embedded. Among other things, this aims to ensure the population’s right to work without prejudice to equal treatment granted to Guatemalans by other States (reciprocal treatment). This is how we are introduced into the Migration Act, which aims to ensure an effective immigration system that regulates the entry and exit of nationals and foreigners into and out of the national territory, and foreigners’ stay in the territory.

Following are restrictions that foreigners must abide by under the present law, as per the activity that they will carry out in the territory: The Migration Act recognizes two immigration categories: a) Nonresidents b) Residents People in transit, whose stay in the country will not exceed 72 hours, are accounted for as nonresidents. Tourists or visitors are those who enter the country for lawful purposes, not for the purpose of immigration or residence, but for reasons that do not involve remuneration and for a period of time that will not exceed 10

Business in Action Abril 2016

90 days (renewable once). It is very important to emphasize that during a nonresident stay, foreigners may not hold any public or private occupations or get commercially established. In any such case, they will have to change their immigration status.

On the other hand, foreigners who are authorized to stay in the country for a period of time in order to engage in any lawful activity are considered residents. This authorization may be temporary - 2 years - or permanent – 5 years. Under this immigration status, residents can engage in paid work or invest in the country, provided that the capital is product of lawful activities. If foreign residents wish to work as employees, they are obliged to obtain authorization from the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. ii. Classification of visas However, to enter Guatemala, foreigners are required an authorization of entry, stay, or transit, which must be granted by the immigration authorities of the country, either in Guatemalan territory or in the Guatemalan Consulates accredited abroad.

This authorization is known as a VISA. The Immigration Act also recognizes a classification of visas, which will be issued according to the length of time, activities, and objectives of the foreigner’s visit to Guatemala, these being: i.

Permanent resident visa ii.

Temporary resident visa iii.

Transit visa iv.

Diplomatic visa v.

Consular visa vi.

Official visa vii.

Courtesy visa viii. Business visa ix.

Visitor visa In order to exempt a visitor or make him/her obtain a visa, there is a classification of countries on the basis of national interest, immigration policy, and compliance with multilateral and bilateral agreements signed by Guatemala. Under the

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following classification, visa consultation or a consulted visa is required prior to entering the country: Category A - Countries or nationalities with which visa abolition agreements are in force, except for temporary resident, permanent, business, and student visas.

Category B - Countries or nationalities that are required a visitor visa or tourist cards.

Category C - Countries and nationalities which are required mandatory consular visas.

Category D - Countries and nationalities that are required mandatory consultation with the Department of Migration, prior to issuance of a visa. iii. Free transit in Region CA-4, Central American countries In 2005, the Republics of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua signed a Regional Agreement on Immigration Proceedings, which aims to regulate the issuance of the Unique Central American Visa for temporary entry into the territories of member countries as tourists, investors, in transit, or for business, health, or official reasons, or to participate in scientific, humanitarian, religious, artistic, sports activities, or public entertainment, among others. It is very important to make clear that this Regional Agreement does not relieve member countries from requesting the corresponding visa if their activity is not mentioned above, nor does it exempt Guatemalan companies from requesting the corresponding authorization from the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare in order to hire them. iv. Work permit Work visas are not recognized under the classification of visas of the Migration Act. Instead of requesting the visa, authorization from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security is mandatory. Such permission, in principle, is not handled by the foreigner, but by the Guatemalan company seeking services abroad. This is related to the protection that the Constitution gives Guatemalan workers. It specifically orders “to prefer Guatemalan workers over foreigners on equal terms and in percentages determined by law...�

Similarly, the Labor Code prohibits Guatemalan employers to hire less than 90 % Guatemalan workers and to pay them less than 85 % the wages earned in the companies. Such legislation does not apply to managers, directors, administrators, supervisors, and general managers of companies. This exception has been applied since 1998, when the Law on Foreign Investment came into force.

The procedure for obtaining authorization to hire foreign staff is described in the Work Permit Regulations for Foreign Persons to Private Sector Employers. One such application must contain, among other, evidence of the migratory regularization from abroad, proof that the company meets the legal contracting rates, guarantee from the employer of good treatment with the Guatemalan staff, and evidence that the foreigner speaks, reads, understands, and writes the Spanish language should he / she come from a country whose official language is not Spanish.

COMMITTEE There are special cases for obtaining work permits for foreigners: when they have Guatemalan children or a Guatemalan spouse.

In these cases, they are responsible for obtaining the work permit themselves. For such purpose, they will need to confirm their migratory record, and the kinship and legal bond with the Guatemalan spouse. They are also required to make this process on a yearly basis, and the company that hires them is subject to comply with legal contracting rates. v. Breach Foreigners who enter in the country or stay without authorization will be fined, deported, or expelled to their country of origin. Also, individuals or legal entities that hire the services of foreigners who stay in the country without meeting all legal requirements, commits illegal hiring as per Article 107 of the Migration Act, which carries a penalty of 2-5 years prison. Other felonies are also considered within the Migration Act, which are equally applicable.

Without prejudice to the criminal sanction stated before, by hiring foreign workers without proper authorization from the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the employer will be subject to the imposition of a fine equivalent to three to fourteen minimum wages.

Globalization and foreign investment Since its creation and entry into effect, the contents of the Immigration Act have not been amended. Therefore, at present, this Act does not cover the needs facing the development of the country.

Globalization and foreign investment pose a challenge to immigration laws and to immigration and labor advisers, who manage and seek migratory regularization of foreigners representing multinational companies wishing to invest in the country.

In January 2015, the Migrant Commission of the Congress of the Republic submitted the initiative of a new Migration Code to revoke the current Migration Act and regulate an institutionalized independent immigration, the governing structure that guarantees the right to migrate, human rights related to migration, and a more flexible framework on the issue of immigration status for foreigners.

There are also public and private sector entities - one of which is the American Chamber of Commerce, AMCHAM – who favor investment through the Committee on Immigration Law and seek to improve customer service systems of existing bodies, carry out responsible and transparent processes, and create more efficient procedures for obtaining migratory licenses in compliance with the law.

Email:csandoval@consortiumlegal.com.gt

The work permit is valid for one year, indefinitely renewable, as long as it meets the requirements established for the purpose.

- Special cases

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March 2016 Business In Action Magazine

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NEW MEMBERS

ยกBienvenidos!

Nearsol OUTSOURCING FOR CALL CENTERS Tel. 2504-2700 e-mail: contactus@nearsol.com

Instal Cobra ENGENINEERING, OPERATIOSN, INSTALLATIONS AND MAINTENANCE. Tel. 2389-6600 e-mail: alvaro.castillo@ca.grupocobra.com

J.C. Proyectos, S.A. CONSTRUCTION ADN REMODELATION. Tel. 2433-8456 gerencia.gt@jcproyectos.com

5nd. Productos Electrรณnicos SOFTWARE/ HARDWARE DISTRIBUTORS Tel. 2385-1111 agarcia@5nd.net

SLA

Scott Stanton Producciones

EVENTS ORGANIZATION SERVICES Tel. 2389-6600 arivera@slaservicios.com

MAGAZINE Tel. 7832-6095 cuentas@quepasa.gt

Cafetalera de Guatemala, S.A. CSI Leasing Guatemala , S.A. LEASING Tel. 2338-0388 arturo.soto@csileasing.com

COFFEE PRODUCTION Tel. 4137-7059 arlin_samayoa@hotmail.com

Corporaciรณn de Eventos, S.A. Grupo Zapata Guatemala, S.A. MANUFACTURERS OF TIN BOTTLING FOR LUIQUIDS AND AEROSOL. Tel. 7721-8562 al 66 mrodas@gzapata.com.gt

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EVENTS ORGANIZATION SERVICES Tel. 2367-50555 mercadeo@corpoeventos.net

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NEW MEMBERS

Agropecuaria Popoyan, S.A.

Blindadora General, S.A.

AGROEXPORT Tel. 2327-33333 info@popoyan.com

ARMOURED VEHICLE MANUFACTURE Tel. 2444-6262 info@smartshieldcorp.com

Ferrovías

Asesoría y Consultoría Virtual

RAILROAD CARGO AND TRANSPORT OPERATORS. Tel. 2412-7200 serviciosferroviarios@gmail.com

FOREIGN TRADE CONSULTANTS. Tel. 2431-9860 info@comercioexteriorca.com

Daco Heavy Lift de C.A. LAND TRANSPORT, LOGISTICS & FOUNDATION DELIVERY Tel. 2381-1200 decoheavylift@dacoheavylift.com

Plantaciones Santa Clara, S.A. TOMATO HYDROPONICS CULTIVATION Tel. 2320-0555 e-mail: itracsa@itracsa.com

Artesanías Yama, S.A. HANDICRAFTS Tel. 7839-5853 mayworkgu@gmail.com

Intel Tecnología Guatemala SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE MANUFACTURES. Tel. +506 2298-6000 mrgarcia@intel.com

Mayaniquel, S.A. EXPORTATION OF NIQUEL ORE. Tel. 23666-5779 easturias@mayaniquel.com

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Abril 2016 Business in Action 13

TRADE & INVEST

DALLAS Dallas…a city to live in with investment opportunities

Artículo por: María Inés Valle Balsells.

Nowadays, Dallas is ranked as one of the top ten U.S. cities, where it is ideal to invest and live in. It is also catalogued as one of the main destinations for people who visit Texas and one of the most important cities in terms of economy, businesses and politics.

Approximately, one hundred corporate offices operate in Dallas, same that employ almost 1k people within the U.S. and abroad. Many manufacturing, financial, services and tech firms 14 Business in Action Abril 2016

choose Dallas to run their companies due to the tax issue. Texas is one of the few states in the U.S. that is exempt of a state tax. In addition, its government aids the SMSCs which are developing within the State.

Companies like Samsung, Ericsson, Research in Motion, Exxon Mobil, Southwest Airlines have chosen Dallas as their Headquarters.

With regard to logistic terms, the Inland International Port of Dallas (IIPOD) positions this city as a logistics

hub optimum for doing businesses worldwide. It has five interstate highways and three railroads classified as “class one”.

In respect of competitiveness, this city offers the following: . It is the 4th biggest economy within the U.S. and 12th biggest economy of the world .Is the most important financial and business center in the Southeast of the U.S. and a key city for worldwide connecting flights. www.amchamguate.com

. It is catalogued as the 9th strongest economy in terms of per capita income . It has a diversified economy, due to the fact that none of its sectors reach more than 20% . It counts with more than 235k high tech jobs .It has a great cultural richness: because it counts with the biggest art urban district within the U.S., with more than 160 museums.

Therefore, during the month of April, AmCham always pursuing to promote businesses with the U.S., will have a forum about “Businesses and Investment in Dallas, Texas” together with the Consultancy firm EBU-International Bridge USA, where we will learn about the benefits to invest and doing business in Dallas.

This forum is also related with a trade mission that will be held in July by Amcham’s Trade Center.

TRADE & INVEST

IMAGE© NAME/AGENCY

In recent years, among four of the cities which have had a growth, two of them are located in Texas. The city is leading in education, cultural and health areas, same that allows people to count with a higher standard of life quality, as well as better opportunities for doing business.

As for its population, a fourth part of it is made up of foreigners, counting with a variety and richness of cultures such as the Spanish, Indian, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese. www.amchamguate.com

“It counts with

more than 235k high tech jobs ” For more information, please contact María Inés Valle Balsells—Trade Center Coordinator, ph 2417-0805 or mail us to: Email: trade@amchamguatemala.com

Abril 2016 Business in Action 15

EVENTS

14 abril

Agenda/ eventos Almuerzo Conferencia: SAT HOTEL VISTA REAL 13:00 - 14:30 horas

15 abril 19 abril

Desayuno: Nuevos Socios LA ESTANCIA, PLAZUELA ESPAÑA 08:00 A 09:00 horas

Networking: After Work

PORTAL DEL ANGEL PLAZA FONTABELLA 19:00 horas

20 abril 26 abril

Servicio Intuitivo (Exclusico Socios Amcham) HOTEL WESTIN CAMINO REAL 8:00 A 09:00 horas

Protección de la propiedad Intelectual en la Empresa OFICINAS DE AMCHAM 08:00 horas.

28 abril 17 Business in Action Abril 2016

Para confirmar su asistencia o mayor información comuníquese con: MARÍA FERNANDA PAREDES Tel: 2417-0815 email: eventos1@amchamguate.com

Foro: Oportunidades de Negocio e Inversión en la Ciudad de Dallas, Texas HOTEL WESTIN CAMINO REAL 08:00 A 12:00 horas.

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Business in Action Abril 2016 / www.amchamguate.com · Primera Edición Amcham Guatemala.

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