Uruguay MSME support and innovation initiatives

The Uruguayan government has introduced several initiatives to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through financial and technological assistance.

In late September, the government launched SIGA Innovación, a financial instrument designed to fund innovation projects. The program aims to ease credit access by reducing guarantee commissions by 50% and providing coverage for up to 70% of loan amounts, with maximum guarantees of approximately $200,000 USD. This effort involves multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the National Development Agency (ANDE).

Following this, the “Despega Uruguay” pilot program was launched to assist MSMEs in adopting artificial intelligence. A collaboration between ANDE, ANTEL, Amazon Web Services, and Nub8, the program provides customized AI tools, technical support, and training to businesses in the departments of Lavalleja, Maldonado, Rocha, and Treinta y Tres. Juan Ignacio Dorrego, president of ANDE, stated the program seeks to “facilitate, foster and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence” for sectors facing cost and training barriers.