SOME ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONALIZATION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN REGION

Relevance of the research topic. The article discusses the foreign trade of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Latin American region in the context of economic integration. Formulation of the problem. The SMEs are particularly vulnerable if the country integrates into the trade block, opens up the domestic market and is subject to competition from foreign companies. This aspect requires further study. Analysis of recent research and publications. The issues of regionalization and integration were studied by the economists J. Weiner, B. Balassa, R. Cooper. A special attention was paid to small business and international entrepreneurship by the authors F. Weidersheim-Paul, J. Johanson, P. MacDougall, A.Danilchenko and D. Kalinin. Problem statement, research objectives. The purpose of the article is to summarize information about SMEs foreign economic relations, as well as directions to encourage internationalization in the Latin American trading blocks. Research methodology. When writing the article, the basic methods of general scientific study were used, an analysis of expert opinions and international databases was carried out. Presentation of the main research material (results of work). The article compares the state of the SME sector in the Latin American region. The author shows the imperfection of the support policy for enterprises and the limited opportunities for the internationalization of Latin American SMEs. It discusses the integrated approach to encourage the SMEs foreign trade and its implementation by the given governments. The field of the results application. The results of the study can be used by the relevant government agencies in developing support programs for SMEs internationalization. Conclusions according to the article. Currently Latin America and the Caribbean's have not reached a level of integration at which a unified sector development strategy and a support policy for SMEs internationalization are being developed. The governments have embarked on poverty alleviation issue and raising living standards through creating microenterprises in low value-added industries. Along with this, the measures are being taken to include SMEs in the supply chains of large businesses, encouraging the indirect internationalization of the sector. Integration with the developed countries will increase the chances of SMEs internationalizing. It will be facilitated by a vast foreign market, FDI and the establishment of supporting competitive industries among SMEs, as well as financial assistance from the regional funds.