by Tirzah Rezende
With the participation of Fundación Entre Soles y Lunas, represented by its director, Doris Helena Rojas, and the director of its Universo MOLA program, Valentina Suarez, the eighth edition of the SME Forum was held from April 15 to 17 in Montevideo (Uruguay). This event, subsidized by the Italian Development Cooperation and organized by IILA, together with the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining of Uruguay and CAF, brought together various actors from the Latin American business community to discuss and reflect on the challenges and opportunities in the region.
During this meeting, the delegates carried out technical visits focused on five selected thematic areas, among which sustainable tourism, the fashion system and the wool and sustainability route, the production chain of cheese and its derivatives, innovation, and technological services for Small and Mid-Businesses, and the forestry and wood chain.
According to the director of the ESL Foundation, the event has highlighted the importance of the diversity of actors operating in the small and medium-sized business sector in Latin America. Furthermore, she highlighted the relevance of the fashion sector in the Forum, especially with regard to sustainability in the region:
"The ESL Foundation is currently developing a project in collaboration with countries in the Southern Cone and the tropics, such as Colombia, with the aim of promoting exchanges in the textile and fashion chain. This project, which covers agricultural, technological, textile and cultural aspects, has the potential to have a significant impact on the economic and social development of the region."
The event made clear the importance of addressing financing and support for Small and Mid-Businesses as fundamental aspects for their continued development. In this sense, he urged governments, financial entities, and cooperation organizations to pay greater attention to providing the necessary resources so that these companies can continue to grow.
In conclusion, the Small and Mid-Businesses Forum in Montevideo has provided a space to consider on the challenges and opportunities faced by Small and Mid-Businesses in Latin America, as well as to promote initiatives that promote their growth and sustainability. The active participation of the Entre Soles y Lunas Foundation demonstrates its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in the region.