CUD, Sacred Heart launch study on Puerto Rico’s SME sector
The United Retailers Association (CUD, in Spanish) and Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (Sacred Heart University) have launched a joint research project titled “Profile of SMEs in Puerto Rico,” designed to gather data on the state of small and medium-sized enterprises across the island.
The study seeks to identify trends, challenges and opportunities in areas such as access to financing, technology adoption and workforce development — key factors in the growth of Puerto Rico’s small-business sector.
The project will be led by Doris M. Morales-Rodríguez, a professor of entrepreneurship at Sacred Heart, and will use structured surveys and statistical analysis drawn from a representative sample of CUD members. The findings will inform policy recommendations intended to promote business sustainability and innovation.
“For [Sacred Heart], collaborating with the [United Retailers Association] represents a valuable opportunity to contribute to the generation of knowledge that directly supports the economic and social development of the island,” said Sacred Heart University President Gilberto J. Marxuach-Torrós.
CUD President Ramón Barquín said the partnership marks an important step toward strengthening Puerto Rico’s small-business ecosystem.
“We have the duty to generate reliable and up-to-date information that allows us to design concrete policies and strategies to strengthen this vital sector of our economy,” he said.
Both organizations said the study will serve as a foundation for long-term strategies aimed at fostering a more competitive and innovative business environment for Puerto Rican entrepreneurs.
