History of the SBDC expansion throughout Latin America

The goal of the expansion of the SBDC model throughout Latin America is to create a hemispheric network of SBDCs that would improve SME competitiveness, generate new trade opportunities and promote the economic integration of the region.

Mexico

The expansion of the SBDCs throughout Latin America started in Mexico in 2003 through a Cooperative Agreement with the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara funded by TIES USAID Mexico. As a result of this project, which ended in September 2009, the Mexican Association of SBDCs (AMCDPE) was founded and accreditation standards were developed for the certification of the centers. During 2009 and with more than 100 operating centers, the Mexican Network of SBDCs assisted more than 32,000 small businesses that created and retained 12,000 jobs.

El Salvador

The implementation of the SBDC model in El Salvador started in 2009 with the participation of the Salvadorian government in the OAS and ASBDC annual conferences. As a result of consultations and trainings, more than 10 centers have been created. El Salvador will reach a total of 14 centers in 2012.

Central America

As part of the U.S. Department of State initiative Pathways for Prosperity and with the support of Higher Education for Development (HED), the South West Texas Border SBDC Network and CENPROMYPE started in September 2011 a project titled "Adapting and replicating the SBDC model in Central America" with the objective of creating national SBDC networks that will be linked with their counterparts in the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia and the Caribbean by September 2013.

The Caribbean

In collaboration with the Department of State U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States (OAS), the OAS and the UTSA, the project to transfer the SBDC model to the Caribbean will start in 2012 with the objective of creating several national SBDC networks by the end of the project.