Uruguayan women promote their leap into exporting

To promote the internationalization of women-led businesses, the Organization of Women Entrepreneurs of Uruguay (OMEU) organized a new virtual meeting entitled “From local to global: women leading international companies. “Uruguay XXI participated through its project manager of the Competitive Intelligence Department, Claudia Peisino, and Elisa Schroeder, a specialist in Export Promotion for the Fashion sector.

Both presented practical information on the steps to export and the tools available to companies seeking to expand their commercial borders. The event is part of a collaboration between OMEU and Uruguay XXI to open markets and demystify the idea that exporting is a complex or inaccessible process.

“We want to dispel the idea that exporting is difficult or cumbersome. With the right tools and advice, it is a viable path,” said OMEU representatives during the meeting. Along the same lines, Leticia Padrón, OMEU partner and customs broker, shared her professional experience, providing concrete examples of the practical aspects of the export process.

Data that reveals gaps and opportunities

During her presentation, Claudia Peisino shared key data on women’s participation in foreign trade. “On average, only three out of ten people working in export companies are women,” she said. She added that companies led by women—whether owners or directors—tend to hire more women than those led by men.

However, the figures show that there is still a significant gap: only 12% of Uruguayan export companies are led by women, compared to 27% in Argentina and 13% in Chile. In addition, only 6.4% of Uruguayan companies are majority-owned by women, and only 9% of boards of directors are composed mainly of women.

Peisino explained that women’s presence is concentrated in “feminized activities” such as administrative, legal, communication, and marketing, while men dominate market research, negotiation, and sales. “That’s why these workshops are so important,” she said. Exporting companies have a longer life cycle, generate more jobs, are more productive, and invest more in innovation. Promoting female participation in this area also means committing to more sustainable and competitive development.”

The challenge of communicating brand value

Elisa Schroeder focused her presentation on communication and positioning strategies for Uruguayan companies. “In Uruguay, brands often grow through word of mouth, but when we think about exporting, we must identify and know how to communicate our value proposition. We must show the brand’s DNA and have a comprehensive vision of its identity,” she explained.

Schroeder also highlighted Uruguay XXI’s promotional activities at international fairs, business rounds, commercial visits, and sector-specific materials, which allow Uruguayan companies to connect with potential buyers abroad.

From training to action

In the workshop, Uruguay XXI presented a practical guide to taking the first steps toward exporting. The speakers explained how the Exporter Test, available on the institutional website, works to identify each company’s stage. They then detailed the process stages: product classification, market analysis, identification of potential customers, setting the export price, and choosing the most appropriate customs regime.

“Companies that manage to enter the international market not only grow more, but also remain active for longer,” emphasized Peisino, who also leads the Más Comercio program, an initiative of Uruguay XXI that travels around the country training entrepreneurs with export potential.

An opportunity for female leadership

Uruguay XXI’s participation in this event reaffirms its commitment to promoting female talent in the internationalization of business. According to the latest surveys, the involvement of women entrepreneurs in Uruguay rose from 34.8% in 2019 to 37% in 2024, a sustained but still insufficient growth.

“These spaces are vital for advancing gender equality in foreign trade. If women have access to more tools, the country has more opportunities,” concluded Peisino.