International trade landscape is every day more competitive.

Historically, we have gone from a time when import-export, trade in general, and finances were confined to the economic pages of newspapers, to this time, where any individual can become an actor on the international scene.

Making clear that selling liner clips to an Italian customer is not internationalisation, is neat also that general audience feel it that way, easy, quick and suitable for all tastes and premises.

We have to remember what Thomas Friedman said not so long ago, "the world is flat". It is false, indeed "the world is still spiky", because the majority of the output, the production, remains concentrated where it was, but what have changed is that more and more people come in and play a role spreading the trade dynamic selling and re-selling what is produced in those production clusters.

It is not difficult to guess the reasons why this is happening, either the fact of China entering into the WTO, information technologies, communication advances, trade barriers lifts and so forth. And of course, people are not scared about trade wars or new waves of trade protectionism becoming usual as a consequence of political affairs among countries. The audience is now aware of their "chances" and does not pay attention longer to what might stop their dreams. We can say, they are trading in their own way, far away from political noise.

But this idea of "right here, right now", or to have a lucky shot because you can sell 1000 pillows from a Chinese supplier from the comfort of your home, contrast with the inherent difficulties of a calmer trade, less volatile and that creates wealth when generates a wider value chain where loads of people participate in a cultural exchange.

Today, flowers are sold from side to side of the planet for more than 20.000M $. And the more regular bycicle, has materials and components designed in several parts of the world. And international trade has a lot of margin as only a third part of the global output is eventually traded.

From little to much or vice versa, there is data for all colours. For example, in the Caribbean zone, only between 12-15% of MSMEs ever export, and if they do, it is to 1 or 2 markets with 1 or 2 products. Of course, international trade is a world of contrasts. And there are still differences between large and small companies.

Indeed, the most up-to-date research yields that, from those companies with over 200 employees, 65% exports. However, below that figure, 200, only 35% do so export. This is why, this website, is intended to help MIPYMES to export and make them aware of both, opportunities and implications attached to them, or at least make clear what they can get or lose.

In fact, MIPYMES, that , of course, have some restrictions regarding access to resources, also have some advantages in terms of flexibility when adapting products and implementing elements of differentiation.

But not everything is won by having certain resources, you also have to know how and where to deploy them to develop their full potential. Hence, it is necessary to know how to make a good diagnosis for internationalization, how to evaluate possible markets, as well as to determine possible scenarios or options once the previous parameters are clearer. We are here for it.