During America’s SBDC’s 47th Annual Training Event in Atlanta, Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) and Chile’s Technical Cooperation Service (SERCOTEC) came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to strengthen support for small businesses and entrepreneurs across both countries. The agreement was signed by SERCOTEC’s General Manager Henry Patricio Azurmendi Toledo, Dean of the UConn School of Business Robert Day, and CTSBDC’s State Director Dorian Zwierewicz.
Effective October 2, 2026, the three-year agreement also includes the UConn School of Business. It establishes a framework for the organizations to share expertise, pursue joint training and research, and strengthen cooperation between CTSBDC and SERCOTEC’s nationwide network of business development centers.
“Chile is an important trade partner for the United States and Connecticut businesses. In 2025 alone, the U.S. exported more than $19 billion worth of goods to Chile. We’re excited to work with SERCOTEC and strengthen the relationship between our organizations to help businesses on both ends of the agreement find new opportunities,” says CTSBDC’s Zwierewicz.
The effort has been spearheaded on CTSBDC’s end by business advisors Nelson Merchan and Denise Whitford. The main points of collaboration are:
- Strengthen services and resources available to small businesses through SERCOTEC Business Centers in Chile.
- Plan joint research, education, and training.
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities that can support joint initiatives.
- Exchange knowledge, proven practices, and resources to strengthen services for entrepreneurs.
The MOU provides a foundation for future collaboration but does not commit either organization to specific projects or funding. Any joint project will be defined through a separate agreement, and each organization will cover its own employees’ planning-related salaries, benefits, and travel in accordance with its policies and available budget.