The Emergence of Successful Export Activities in Uruguay: Four Case Studies

This paper consists of four case studies of the emergence of four successful export activities in Uruguay: computer software, forest products, caviar and sturgeon meat, and animal vaccines. Each case study discusses how companies, associations, and governments at various levels have addressed market failures and facilitated the provision of public goods necessary for each activity. The case studies additionally profile first movers in each activity and describe the positive externalities they provide to imitators, particularly diffusion of export knowledge. Also included in each case study is a counterfactual case of a less successful activity (electronics, wine, frog meat, and biotechnology, respectively) and a section on policy implications.