At the Grow with Spain event, Uruguay XXI presented its strategy to support the export sector

On April 8, Montevideo hosted the event Grow with Spain: The Spanish Way, a gathering that brought together government officials, diplomatic representatives, and businesses, organized by the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Uruguay.

During the opening remarks, Secretary of the Presidency Alejandro Sánchez emphasized that Spain “can serve as a platform for Uruguayan companies to understand the European market,” highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that the new commercial landscape will bring.

In this context, the Executive Director of Uruguay XXI, Mariana Ferreira, participated in the panel on Spain as a platform for internationalization, where she detailed the agency’s approach to supporting companies in their expansion process.

"Uruguay XXI is the agency for export promotion, investment attraction, and country branding. Our goal is to support companies so they can export,” she noted.

Ferreira explained that this support is based on a sector-specific approach, with specialists providing personalized advice tailored to each company’s needs. Among the priority sectors, she mentioned information technology, food, architecture, engineering, construction, fashion, and the creative industries.

Uruguay XXI’s support includes internationalization training, commercial support—such as participation in trade fairs and missions—market research, and access to key information to reduce information gaps when entering new markets.

In this context, they highlighted the inter-institutional program Uruguay to the World, developed in collaboration with ANDE, ANII, LATU, and the Ministry of Industry, coordinated by Uruguay Innova, which aims to strengthen the export capabilities of both startups and SMEs.

“Evidence shows that companies that export enter a virtuous cycle: they are more innovative, more productive, and more efficient,” Ferreira stated. “Entering international markets raises standards and generates economies of scale that strengthen companies,” he added.

One of the central messages of the meeting was Spain’s role as a strategic partner. Ferreira emphasized that cultural affinities and ease of access make that country a natural gateway to Europe.

“Spain is the gateway. There are many opportunities, especially in services such as audiovisuals, engineering, architecture, and construction. Furthermore, the European Union-Mercosur agreement will create new conditions that we must take advantage of,” he noted.

He also highlighted the importance of translating that agreement into concrete opportunities, especially for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and Uruguay XXI’s commitment to promoting its benefits and preparing the business community to capitalize on them.

The event also featured testimonials and success stories from Uruguayan companies that are already operating or have expanded into Spain, such as Abstracta, Bantotal, Berkes, Quanam, Nanogrow Biotech, and Ventus, among others. These experiences reflect the country’s potential for internationalization and the growing economic ties between the two markets.