Latin American SMEs show “growth and optimism”, says FedEx report
A recent global research study from FedEx found that small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Latin America are “continuing to show growth and optimism”. “In Latin America and the Caribbean, 58% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) believe intra-regional export revenues will increase in the next 12 months,” said FedEx, “some 34% have seen steady growth and only 18% have reported a significant decline in intra and inter-regional exports.”
FedEx added that the study, entitled Global Trade in the Digital Economy: Opportunities for Small Businesses, showed that “the digital economy lies at the heart of SME optimism”.
According to FedEx: “In Latin America and the Caribbean, eight in ten SMEs are already generating e-commerce sales, contributing average revenues of $677,560 USD a year. 83% of all Latin American and the Caribbean SMEs generate revenue via e-commerce, which accounts for more than a quarter, 26%, of total revenue on average.
“Of the SMEs surveyed in the region, 39% reported an increase in e-commerce revenue and 54% believe they will generate greater e-commerce income in the coming year.
“The majority of SMEs reporting an increase in e-commerce profit also require a range of improved logistics services, including faster delivery (52%), flexible delivery options (48%), and the ability to handle extra work when orders spike (36%).”