THE POWER OF FOREIGN TRADE: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND OPPORTUNITIES
Keywords:
Foreign trade, Entrepreneurship, Internationalization, Exporting SMEs, Trade policy, Regional developmentAbstract
Introduction: Foreign trade is one of the most dynamic drivers of global economic growth,
and its intersection with entrepreneurship represents a strategic opportunity for emerging
economies such as Colombia. In an environment characterized by digitalization, trade
agreements, and regional integration, entrepreneurs find in international markets a pathway to
scale their businesses and strengthen their competitiveness.
Objective: To examine the interrelationship between foreign trade and entrepreneurship,
analyzing how public policies, digitalization, and international cooperation create favorable
conditions for Colombian ventures to access global markets.
Method: A documentary review of secondary sources of international, national, and regional
scope is employed, including reports from multilateral organizations, Colombian public
policies, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) statistics, and studies on foreign trade in
Norte de Santander.
Result: The analysis reveals that Colombia has a solid institutional foundation in export
support through ProColombia, Export Business Plans (PLANEX), and existing Free Trade
Agreements; however, structural barriers persist, such as high logistics costs, low export
sophistication, and limited participation of SMEs in international trade.
Conclusions: Strengthening entrepreneurship with an export focus requires effective
coordination among the state, academia, and the private sector, as well as the incorporation of
digital tools and business training schemes that reduce gaps in access to international markets.
Empirical contribution: The study provides evidence on the state of export entrepreneurship
in Norte de Santander, identifying opportunities in sectors such as agroindustry, digital
services, and the circular economy as levers for regional transformation.
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