Empretec Women in Business Award 2012 publication - Unctad XI

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15EMPRETEC WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARD 2012Melissa De LeonTropical Panama Gourmet – PANAMA“What I am good at is working shoulder to shoulder with my staff, always giving the best of me andallowing them to always see me involved in the production process.“
10 FINALISTS 201216Tropical Panama Gourmet produces and markets food products based onflour made from locally grown tubers that do not contain gluten – a proteinfound in wheat, barley and oats. Gluten-free flour provides healthy nutritionfor diabetics, persons with celiac disease, persons allergic to wheat, andelderly persons with digestive problems. It also is a valuable base for babyfood and is often recommended for persons suffering from autism andcancer. Melissa devised a flour making use of the entire tuber of locallygrown crops, thus enabling her supplying farmers to sell their crops withoutwaste and to earn steady incomes. And her goods have a shelf life of 10months without the use of additives or preservatives, which makesshipment of the product overseas commercially competitive.The market for gluten-free finished products in the United States and Canada alone is some $1.6 billion peryear and is expected to grow by 28 per cent over the next four years. Tropical Panama Gourmet is the onlyproducer of gluten-free food in Latin America. The intent of the firm is not only to expand sales but to supportPanamanian agribusiness, “which is underutilized”, and to help establish a national reputation for innovative andhealthy products. In addition, the company provides training services, cooking courses, and personalized catering.Melissa began with a staff of one – herself – and without a commercial kitchen. Earnings were $100–$300per month. Now the firm has 10 employees, 8 of whom are women.“My ambition is to export 100 per cent Panamanian products, while at the same time contributing to agribusinessin my country and promoting healthy nutrition.” The company has been selected as one of 4 finalists fromamong 250 entrants in a business incubator competition. She credits Empretec training with “allowing me toobtain intense and hands-on feedback on how to improve my business project, and how to get the best out ofmy ability. After the workshop, I developed a business plan to present to prospective investors.” Goals for TropicalPanama Gourmet include “leading the United States and European market” in sales of gluten-free finishedfoods, tripling the firm’s workforce, and expanding production by a factor of 100.Tropical PanamaGourmetCity of Knowledge,Clayton, Panamá City,Republic of Panamáwww.panamagourmet.net
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Empretec Women in Business Award 2012 publication - Unctad XI

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