Uruguay XXI promotes women's participation in the export ecosystem

In the context of International Women's Day, Uruguay XXI reaffirms its commitment to promoting opportunities for women in international business and strengthening their role in the country's export development.

"We are convinced that women have a decisive role in the country's export development, but we now that they still face additional obstacles" said Mariana Ferreira, Executive Director of Uruguay XXI.

According to a study conducted by CINVE and UN Women for Uruguay XXI, only 6.4% of Uruguayan export companies are majority-owned by women, who hold just 13% of general management positions. At the same time, entrepreneurial dynamism is showing signs of growth: one in five adult women is starting a business, and participation in entrepreneurial activity rose from 34.8% in 2019 to over 37% in 2024.

“These data confirm that there is dynamism, talent, and determination, but also that gaps persist in access to financing, networks, and decision-making spaces,” Ferreira said.

In this context, Uruguay XXI incorporates an approach that prioritizes the participation of women-led companies in its internationalization support tools. In 2025, the Export Management Department assisted 195 women-led companies, helping to strengthen their capacity to access international markets.

Among the notable initiatives is Más Comercio, a program that provides training and mentoring to companies throughout the country. In the 2025 edition, 50% of the personalized mentoring was aimed at women entrepreneurs, and almost 60% of those who participated in the program were women from the interior.

Another instrument that incorporates equity criteria is the Country Brand licensing, whose certification process—carried out in conjunction with LSQA—weighs companies led by women among its criteria. Currently, 56% of licensed companies are run by women.

This approach is also reflected in Uruguay XXI's participation in Uruguay al Mundo (Uruguay to the World), a program promoted in conjunction with ANDE, ANII, LATU, and the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining, within the framework of Uruguay Innova, aimed at boosting the international profile of Uruguayan companies. This initiative incorporates a positive discrimination criterion that prioritizes support for companies led by women, with the aim of expanding their access to internationalization opportunities.

The commitment to equity is also reflected in the institutional structure of Uruguay XXI itself. Currently, women represent 59% of its workforce and occupy 65% of leadership positions, in an environment that promotes equal pay and talent development.

For Ferreira, advancing equal opportunities is a prerequisite for boosting economic development. “When more women lead, innovate, and export, Uruguay's potential in the world also internationaly grows,” she said.