ThinkHUGE Newsletter - March 2024 Edition - HUGE Business and Investment Council

Featured News

January-February 2024

Hilando Oportunidades Launch, UNITEC Campus, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

The future of Honduras’ textile industry is looking brighter than ever thanks to the “Hilando Oportunidades” project led by USAID, NC State University, UNITEC and members of the ThinkHUGE Textile Cluster. Last month, Reina Irene Mejía, HUGE Senior Advisor, celebrated the official launch of Hilando Oportunidades, the first interactive textile training and education program in Honduras, at the UNITEC Campus in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. This collaboration is set to revolutionize the sector and create countless opportunities for growth and innovation. We support this transformative initiative and can’t wait to witness the incredible impact it will have on Honduras’ economy and workforce. ThinkHUGE is working with CAMTEX in El Salvador and VESTEX in Guatemala to expand the project throughout the region.

Read our Press Release

Link to La Tribuna Article

Unleashing Potential through Workforce Development

The Northern Triangle of Central America is poised for a pivotal moment. Nearshoring trends and a renewed focus on sustainable development present exciting opportunities for the region. Yet, unlocking these possibilities hinges on a crucial factor: workforce development. For too long, the Northern Triangle has grappled with high unemployment, underemployment, and a mismatch between available skills and labor market needs. Investing in effective workforce development programs is not just about filling jobs; it’s about building a brighter future for the region. Our latest blog post discusses a multi-pronged approach on what the region needs in order to address this challenge and explains why investing in workforce development is a win-win situation for all.

Read Workforce Development blog post

CAF Latin America & Caribbean Conference, Panama City, Panama

Our very own Edwin Escobar, HUGE Founder and CEO of Grupo Aristos, was invited to speak at the CAF Latin America and Caribbean Conference in Panama City! During his intervention on the panel, “An Ally for Sustainable Development”, Edwin shed light on Aristos Imobiliaria’s incredible work model and its remarkable positive impact on the economy and environment of El Salvador.

Virtual Meeting with ICTI Ethical Toy Program and Honduran Toy Companies

ThinkHUGE is collaborating with the ICTI Ethical Toy Program to engage ASIPLASTIC, MINEC/Invest El Salvador and Salvaplastic in El Salvador, Invest Guatemala, AGEXPORT and the Camara de Industrias in Guatemala and COHEP in Honduras on the organization of a roadshow in the toy industry. Interested companies in each country have come together with the Ethical Toy Program and ThinkHUGE to explore potential collaborations with a delegation of toy brands and retailers in preparation for an upcoming roadshow. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting development for the region.

ThinkHUGE recently welcomed Reina Irene Mejía Chacón in her new role as Senior Advisor. Mrs. Mejía will provide strategic advisory to the organization, bringing her deep experience in both the private sector and the development space. Along with her knowledge of the three Northern Triangle countries of Central America, we are certain Mrs. Mejía will significantly contribute to achieving the mission of HUGE.

Read more here

Upcoming Events

April 16, 2024

Conference on Social & Environmental Impact of Private Investments

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Our upcoming event, in partnership with CSIS and FUNDESA, aims to highlight the significant social and environmental benefits derived from the investments of HUGE Founders in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and the United States. It presents a unique platform for leaders from governments, the private sector, and civil society across the Northern Triangle and the United States to work together on further enhancing the conditions for economic growth and social development. Stay tuned for more details.