Objective: This research aims to characterize the current scientific literature on the different models of International Market Selection (IMS) used by Microenterprises, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) within their internationalization processes. Design: This characterization was made from a bibliometric and content analysis of academic publications on the two categories. Besides, based on these findings, it was conducted another search considering the papers cited in these publications (backward), and the documents which are cited by them (forward). Findings: Smaller companies mostly use cognition and qualitative models to select the target market abroad. For their part, medium-sized companies have a greater tendency to apply quantitative models to more efficiently carry out the IMS process, mainly using macroeconomic factors, and, to a lesser extent, microeconomic ones. The use of qualitative and quantitative techniques for the selection of international markets is highly limited in small and medium enterprises. Originality and value: The findings described characterize the state of the art of research on SME and selection of international markets, with an emphasis on the last ten years. This allows to identify empty in the literature and possible fields of action for the further development of this area of ​​knowledge.

This article analyzes the behavior of the Free Trade Agreement signed between Colombia and the Northern Triangle countries. It is based on the hypothesis that, because there is an agreement between countries of the South, similar global development conditions reduce the asymmetries in terms of trade, characteristics of North-South agreements. To evaluate the hypothesis, this article analyzed the trade flows of the last ten years (2010 – 2019), and different international trade indicators are estimated. The results indicate that the agreement has been favorable for Colombia, generating a surplus trade balance and an increase in exports of products with high added value and complementarity between trade partners. It is suggested to deepen and expand this agreement and promote its use by the national productive apparatus.