THE BUSINESS COUNCIL of LATIN AMERICA
Business leaders from 18 Latin American countries are members of CEAL, a non-profit network established in 1989. CEAL fosters regional integration and international interactions through the active role of entrepreneurs. CEAL comprises representatives from all productive sectors – agribusiness, mining, manufacturing industry, banking, services -- and stimulates cooperation between business and other social actors. Starting in 2002, Basic Education is the major ongoing special project of CEAL.
The roster of CEAL lists some of the most prominent business leaders from all over Latin America. The mission of CEAL is to stimulate the participation of entrepreneurs in cooperative exchanges, particularly in fields in which the private sector can contribute to strengthen reciprocal ties and promote social and economic progress.
CEAL is a response to new global trends that gained momentum in the 90s, such as market liberalization, trade opening, and privatization. These conditions have strengthened regional integration in the Americas and prompted the private sector from Latin America to become more internationalized.
Integration in the world economy relies on the leadership and commitment of the Latin American business community. CEAL is fully aware of this responsibility and therefore its main objective is to encourage private action as an agent for change. (up)
OBJECTIVES
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To promote personal knowledge and relationships and the creation of a business network and friendship among its members and in between the Latin American business community.
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To stimulate the exchange of ideas and information among its members.
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To create a forum of discussion of the main issues related to the political and economic evolution of Latin America and the role of private enterprise within the context of each country.
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To enhance economic partnerships between the countries of the Americas.
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To contribute to the improvement of the social and economic conditions of the Latin American nations within an environment of cooperation for peace and security
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To support every effort directed to strengthen the concept of “sustainable development”.
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To support education and cultural projects within the region.
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STRUCTURECEAL is a network of fourteen national and regional eleven chapters, comprising 511 members (as of October 2009; number of members by country in parenthesis): Argentina (25) and Uruguay (2), Bolivia (25), Brazil (92), Central America and the Caribbean (Costa Rica (4) and the Dominican Republic (5)), Chile (18), Colombia (71), Ecuador (23), El Salvador (33), Guatemala (26), Honduras (24), Mexico (46), Nicaragua (10), Panama (39), Paraguay (28), Peru (21), and Venezuela (19). CEAL members are major shareholders and chief executives of local companies, with a minority from foreign corporations. Membership is personal and based on individual profile, professional accomplishments, ethical reputation, and social engagement.
At the international level, CEAL is managed by a directive board with representatives from all chapters. The international presidency of the board is occupied by rotation and lasts for one year. The international board coordinates activities of local chapters, oversees the fulfillment of institutional objectives and defines the strategic plan and related actions. (up)
ANNUAL PLENARYMembers are expected to attend the yearly event, the General Plenary, when issues related to the objectives of CEAL and to the economic, social and political situation of Latin America are reviewed and analyzed. This conference is a great opportunity to reach one of CEAL’s raisons d’être: the establishment of friendships and professional relationships between its members.(up)
Annual Meetings
1990 |
Rio de Janeiro |
2000 |
Brasília |
1991 |
Buenos Aires, |
2001 |
Buenos Aires |
1992 |
Mexico City |
2002 |
Lima |
1993 |
Caracas |
2003 |
Mexico City |
1994 |
Cartagena, Colombia |
2004 |
Merida, Mexico |
1995 |
Santiago |
2005 |
Santiago de Chile |
1996 |
Lima |
2006 |
Cartagena, Colombia |
1997 |
Quito |
2007 |
Panama City |
1998 |
Punta del Este, Uruguay |
2008 |
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia |
1999 |
Guatemala City |
2009 |
El Salvador |
BOARD MEETINGS
Board meetings are held every three months. Experts and authorities from the host country or abroad are invited to debate issues of interest for CEAL. Subregional meetings, such as Mercosur, Andean Community, Central America, are arranged to discuss topics of relevance for specific countries and to reinforce the concepts of integration and internationalization. (up)
International President (2009-2010): Guillermo Stanley, (Paraguay)
CONTACT: Alberto Pfeifer, Executive Coordinator (55-13-22028440)
http//:www.ceal-int.org; ceal@ceal-int.org
