CYTED-IBEROEKA Forum 2009
Innovations in foreign trade services

Business competitiveness is one of the basic pillars of foreign trade for any country, and is therefore an important part of integrating countries into the global marketplace that exists today. Achieving greater competitiveness and a positive trade balance is a challenge currently faced by Ibero-American countries and one that can be met through innovation. Innovation will allow the development and sale of high value added products which go beyond traditional raw materials. The wealth generated by growing foreign trade results in the greater availability of resources for innovation, which in turn increases the competitiveness of companies. This innovation cycle is completed by the corresponding positive impact on the economic and social development of the countries.

One of the main factors that determines how a country relates to the rest of the world is its level of competitiveness and this in turn depends on various other factors. Firstly, from the macroeconomic point of view, competitiveness is associated with the exchange rate with respect to the rest of the competing companies. Secondly, sector-specific competitiveness is influenced by many competition related factors that can occur in imperfect markets. Finally, the management and organisation of businesses can influence their competitiveness. It is in the areas of sector-specific and company-specific competitiveness where there is likely to be a real possibility for improvement and where, through innovation, advances can be made which result in a significant impact on foreign trade.

The Technological innovation that has taken place over the last few decades, both in production and processes, in areas such as information, communications and the use of new materials, has been key to the competitiveness of certain sectors in certain countries. This is within the framework of a growing trend towards the globalization of business, a trend which requires organisations to recognise that international competitiveness is the key to their success.

Traditionally the Ibero-American countries have specialised in basic products in sectors such as agriculture and food production or mining and have suffered from being very dependent on high technology products. However, there is now a clear opportunity to apply new technologies to these traditional sectors. The objective is to develop high value added products, healthier products, packaging that lengthens the life of the product, etc. There are also logistical technologies within reach that allow the integrated management of processes and products, without forgetting of course the environmental technologies, capable not only of managing waste but also obtaining value from it. In short, it is a question of moving towards a trade balance in which competitive manufactured products account for a greater weight, using technological innovation to achieve this.

Lastly, if companies are to succeed in accessing international markets support is required both at the sector and the individual company level. Competitiveness is a necessary but not sufficient condition for external trade and facilitators are also needed who can guide business people through the adventure that is internationalisation. Training, information and management tools are some of the key factors during the initial stages of this process.

• Comité Organizador
• Colabora

Convenio COPA - CYTED

Aim

The main objective of FORUM 2009 is to offer Ibero-American organisations involved in Research and Development (R&D) the opportunity to:

• Identify possible partners with whom they can establish IBEROEKA Innovation Projects involving international cooperation. This is achieved through scheduled bilateral meetings.
• Take part in thematic sessions with other specialists from the same sector or business area.
• Receive advice from internationally renowned experts.
• Receive information about different national and international financing mechanisms for R&D projects.

Structure

• Thematic sessions on specific aspects and more general forums, with the participation of internationally renowned speakers.
• A permanent exhibition of posters about CYTED activities related to the theme of the Forum.
• Scheduled bilateral meetings between representatives of companies and R&D bodies to promote future collaboration.