Montevideo - Uruguayan micro, small and medium companies still have until November 30 to manage government financial support for export initiatives.

The state institutions involved attended Thursday's launch at the Executive Tower by the Uruguay 21st Investment Company of a new edition of the Proexport Program to which 500 million dollars were assigned.

The Office of Planning and Budget (OPP) director, Alvaro Garcia, announced that a maximum of 30 000 dollars will be granted to projects to be executed in a 24-month maximum for those who want to start exporting or boost their exports. He explained this program assists SMEs to design sales plans abroad and grants subsidies to companies interested in participating in fairs, trade missions and business rounds.

Industry Minister Carolina Cosse recalled that of the 1,000 companies exporting goods in Uruguay, 70 percent are micro, small and medium, making assistance programs key for the country.

The Deputy Secretary of Economy, Pablo Ferreri, said that 'the public sector should work in an inter-institutional way and in a coordinated approach with the private sector'.

According to the executive director of Uruguay 21st, Antonio Carambula, 'these companies are crucial in the job creation, they are characterized for being more innovative and they collaborate in the diversification of the export basket'.