Introduction
Querétaro, Mexico, and Bogotá, Colombia, have signed a memorandum of understanding to foster entrepreneurship through an intergovernmental agenda. The agreement involves the Querétaro State Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute (IQEI), the Querétaro state Economic Development Secretariat, and the Bogotá District Economic Development Secretariat.
Key Players and Their Relevance
The Querétaro State Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute (IQEI) plays a crucial role in driving the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Under its leadership, alongside the Querétaro state Economic Development Secretariat and Bogotá District Economic Development Secretariat, the alliance aims to create a mutually beneficial environment for entrepreneurs in both regions.
Objectives and Benefits
The agreement establishes a strategic partnership that will provide entrepreneurs with access to training, international networking opportunities, and knowledge transfer. According to Adolfo de la Isla Espinosa, the IQEI director, this collaboration will help create international channels for Querétaro’s entrepreneurs to grow and compete globally.
Querétaro’s Efforts to Support Local Entrepreneurs
The Querétaro state Economic Development Secretariat, led by Alejandro Sterling Sánchez, seeks to bolster local entrepreneurs through workshops, virtual meetings, and growth-focused spaces. This alliance with Bogotá marks a significant step towards internationalizing Querétaro’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Querétaro’s Entrepreneurial Landscape
Querétaro is home to 97,696 economic units employing 718,723 people, as per the 2024 National Statistics and Geography Institute (Inegi) Census. Of these, 92.7% are microenterprises with no more than 10 employees; 6.9% are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with 11 to 250 employees; and 0.4% are large enterprises with over 250 workers.
In terms of business survival rates, Querétaro had an average lifespan of 9.8 years for new businesses in 2019, ranking third in Mexico behind Oaxaca (11.4 years) and Yucatán (10.7 years), according to Inegi data.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the agreement between Querétaro and Bogotá? The agreement aims to create an intergovernmental agenda that fosters entrepreneurship in both regions by providing access to training, international networking opportunities, and knowledge transfer.
- Who are the key players involved in this alliance? The Querétaro State Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute (IQEI), the Querétaro state Economic Development Secretariat, and the Bogotá District Economic Development Secretariat are the main participants.
- What percentage of businesses in Querétaro are microenterprises? 92.7% of the businesses in Querétaro are microenterprises with no more than 10 employees.
- What is the average lifespan of new businesses in Querétaro? In 2019, the average lifespan of new businesses in Querétaro was 9.8 years.
