AICO, sticking to its principles

“Our member situations reflect the extreme diversity of the different Ibero-American countries,” affirms AICO’s President, Ambrosio Bertolotti. The Association represents the Chambers of 22 countries from the Americas, the Caribbean and the Iberian Peninsula. “Certain of these countries, like Brazil and Uruguay, have emerged from their recessions. Others, like Chile and Colombia, are set to do the same, but the economies of countries like Mexico and Spain are still paralysed,” according to the Uruguayan Head of AICO, who has held this position for less than one year.
Frames of mind ranging “from the most optimistic to the most pessimistic” marked the 36th general assembly. All members displayed concern over the general increase in unemployment and dismal perspectives for job recovery. “This situation has led to a rise in informality, so governments need to be careful when raising taxes and the number of laws, as these measures work against formal employment,” states AICO’s President.
In this context of international crisis, for the very first time, the Association is presenting a report on “the economic situation and perspectives for Ibero-American countries,” drafted from information provided by each member. Another new element in the development of the “Decalogue of Values”, an original document laying out ten principles that the Chambers commit to promoting and respecting. “We are convinced that among other reasons, the crisis was caused by a lack of transparency and honesty in the information given to investors and buyers,” according to Ambrosio Bertolotti. But he adds, “none of this will be resolved by implementing laws that have proved ineffective. We need a system of self-regulation for our activity through the promotion of certain values.” The idea came to be during an executive committee meeting held at the beginning of the year in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and was ratified in Puebla.
The Decalogue’s first principle is that of freedom, “Freedom in the widest
sense of the term, and more specifically, freedom of business and the market economy”, states the document. Respect for the legal order and private property, ethics and transparency, businesses’ social responsibility, respect for and communication with employees – these are the values highlighted by this document, which also emphasises that “justice is the only way to find a solution to conflict”, lays out commitment to environmental protection as well as the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors. Lastly, the Association’s Chamber representatives committed to promoting a culture of work and the enterprising spirit. “We are convinced that our role is to promote these values, which are already recognised, but serve to heighten respect for the work of entrepreneurs,” explains President Bertoletti.
During its general assembly, AICO also took the opportunity to denounc – without explicitly naming names – the attitude of certain governments that have worsened the crisis through “unjustified policies harmful to productive investments and the exchange of goods and services.” In the Puebla Declaration, the Association “condemns measures that restrain international commerce, which is a basic right for people everywhere, one that surpasses ideologies and outdated, unfounded protectionist practices.” According to the President, AICO’s objective for the year to come will thus be to pursue this defence of free trade and free enterprise “in the face of these protectionist attempts”. “We are holding out hope that the political sector will ultimately understand that to obtain better social and economic indicators, the public and private sectors must work hand in hand, respecting each other’s framework for action, rather than weighing down our sector with excessive and unnecessary regulations,” concludes Ambrosio Bertolotti, whose current presidential term is up in 2010.