The capital of Tenerife hosted the closing ceremony of the 7th Ibero-American Forum on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), a gathering that brought together more than 600 experts from 22 countries to forge a consensus aimed at transforming the regional productive fabric. The event not only reaffirmed the crucial role of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the economy, but also established a clear and measurable roadmap for their international expansion and strengthening through the "4T" model: Territory, Talent, Transformation, and Traction.
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El VII Ibero-American Forum of MSMEs in Tenerife concluded with an agreement Historical between the public and private sectors, unifying criteria to improve the operating environment of millions of companies in Latin America.
The heart of this consensus, presented by Gustavo González de Vega During the high-level dialogue, the focus is on three pillars for an effective implementation of the 4T model: the systematization of practical tools, the identification and replication of successful best practices between countries, and the design of rigorous measurement and monitoring mechanismsThis commitment will be monitored with indicators to assess the real impact of the policies and will be reviewed at the next meeting. VIII Paraguay Forum.
The essential role of small businesses
Throughout the two days, the event featured the participation of more than 50 speakers, including 15 government representatives and 30 business leaders, underscoring the unity of the 22 Ibero-American countries.
From a local perspective, the president of the Tenerife Island Council, Rosa DávilaHe highlighted the island's economic dependence on these companies, asserting that the future is not measured by the size of the business, but by the “size of talent and effort”He called for support for the MIPYMES at their “expansion into new markets and value chains”.
For its part, Pedro AlfonsoThe president of CEOE Tenerife insisted on the need to recognize the potential of small businesses such as “engine of wealth, employment and competitiveness”and urged everyone to move forward together towards a greater export and investment capacity.
The voice of concern came from Roberto suárez, from the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), who warned about the need to alleviate bureaucratic burdens and the lack of digital infrastructure that “They hold back millions of entrepreneurs” in the region, and recalled that the MIPYMES are “backbone of social development”Along the same lines, Angela de Miguel, president of CEPYME, highlighted the resilience of these companies, classifying them as “silent leaders” capable of innovating in adverse scenarios.
The Vice President of the Government of the Canary Islands, Manuel Dominguez, used the platform to advocate for the investment opportunities offered by the Canary Islands economic and fiscal regime, Ensuring that “If there is a place prepared to attract investment and new industries, that place is the Canary Islands.”.
Roadmap for internationalization and digitalization
The panel discussions focused on the need for modernize and strengthen to small businesses, highlighting the talent, training, digitalization and the green transition as drivers of competitiveness. foreign trade and internationalization These areas stood out as key, highlighting the urgent need to integrate them. MIPYMES en global value chains and improve their access to expansion.
At the High-Level Public-Private DialogueThe leaders agreed that the investment in entrepreneurial skills, strengthening the Technical formation and the closing the digital divide are “essential conditions” to compete in the global market. Other priorities identified were: improved access to finance and digital payments, the reduction of informality and the creation of frameworks of legal security and stability.
The day also included the presentation of a report prepared by the Institute of Economic Studies (IEE) and CEIB on the characterization of the MSMEs in Latin America and the Caribbeananalyzing its main obstacles and the progress made since Medellín Commitment.
Paraguay, next venue for the VIII Forum
The event concluded with the announcement of Paraguay as the host of the eighth edition in 2027. Javier GiménezThe Minister of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay expressed his country's commitment to the MIPYMES in its plan to double GDP in the next decade. “It is very important for us to be able to host this forum in 2027. We have a plan to double the country's GDP in the next decade, and SMEs are fundamental to achieving this.”The minister declared, inviting the region to a debate in Asunción on training, market access and facilitation of financing.
The event, which was supported by entities such as Visa, Mapfre and Iberia Express, was concluded by Pedro Gonzalez, island director of the Tenerife Island Council, who stressed that “The Forum ends here, but the conversation does not end; it will continue in Paraguay, because dialogue and conversation will be what leads us to a better future in Ibero-America.”.
