This workshop was developed by the specialist in international business partner of COEXPORT, Carlos Cabrera, with more than 20 years of experience in market penetration strategies who presented key issues to conquer new countries such as market determination, research opportunities, segmentation and market reach, in addition to publicizing success stories from which you can learn to apply our strategies.

As part of the celebration of the International Day of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, declared by the United Nations to be celebrated every june 27, Davivienda identifies with solutions for entrepreneurs in this segment to continue to grow, generate labor force, build their assets, especially for those companies led by women to increase their economic empowerment, thus stimulating economic activity and gender equity.

During the workshop, Davivienda and COEXPORT representatives emphasized the importance of the dynamism of the business sector and in particular SMEs for the economic growth of the country; since they are not limited to offering goods and services, but offer sources of employment, livelihoods and self-employment opportunities; so it is important to provide them with tools that allow them to innovate, develop new business models or grow with their current businesses, as well as expand and reach other markets.

"Our Small and Medium Enterprises are part of the engine that drives this country and as Davivienda we want to promote them with the tools that allow them to further develop their capabilities and enhance their businesses, which will also help them to open doors in other markets and find better opportunities. In addition to boosting their growth, we want to remind them that Davivienda is a strategic ally to evolve and take advantage of all the business that is being generated thanks to e-commerce", said Erick Morán, SME Banking Manager of Banco Davivienda El Salvador, "We also want to remind them that Davivienda is a strategic ally to evolve and take advantage of all the business that is being generated thanks to e-commerce”.

Davivienda El Salvador.

In El Salvador, SMEs are a fundamental part of the national economy, representing more than 90% of the total number of companies in the country, with more than 60% of employment, and contributing between 50 and 60% of El Salvador's gross domestic product (GDP), according to a research article published by María Laura Chacón, from the School of Business Sciences of the Business School of the Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador (UTEC). In addition, according to the calculations of FUSAI's MYPE Observatory, there are about 845 thousand MYPES (94.4% microenterprises, 5.3% small enterprises).

About 60% of these are led by women. The MSE sector, made up of their employees and micro and small business entrepreneurs, is the source of employment for 7 out of every 10 salvadorans in the informal sector of the economy.

"A fundamental part of the export process is the analysis of markets according to the product/service to be exported, identifying sources of information that allow us to know not only the demographic, economic and political generalities, but also technical aspects such as requirements, tariffs, consumer culture, competitors' offer, if any, among other non-tariff barriers that must be considered when entering new markets", explained Silvia Cuellar, President of COEXPORT.

To promote the growth of SMEs (with less credit experience and lacking mortgages), Davivienda has facilitated access to financing and the possibility of accessing a larger amount through different guarantee programs in alliance with the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC), with the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Fondo Salvadoreño de Garantías (FSG-Bandesal), and Sociedad de Garantías Recíprocas Garantías y Servicios SGR.

In addition to the products and access to financing it offers, it has savings and investment programs specially designed for small and medium-sized companies.

It also offers Pay Davivienda, a portfolio of solutions that facilitate local and international sales through payment buttons on websites, payment links on social networks, among other collection tools. The Multioferta Empresarial is complemented with the entire portfolio of foreign trade operations and digital payments; with which it seeks to make its business customers more competitive and efficient, with friendly, simple and secure financial solutions. In addition to all this, since 2005 Davivienda has provided support to more than 4.5 thousand customers in this segment in terms of training, personal and business development. Among the main dynamics carried out year after year are: training, business rounds, webinars, conferences, among others.

Translated by: A.M