| Abstract: This research project will analyze the impact of the institutional and regulatory governance of digital trade on Costa Rica’s national competitiveness and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Using a qualitative, documentary, comparative, and critical-conceptual approach, the study will examine Law No. 10946, the multilateral rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), international digital economy agreements, and specialized academic literature. The research will identify the benefits of the new regulatory framework for legal certainty, protection, and trust in the digital environment, as well as the challenges, costs, and potential compliance asymmetries that may affect SMEs’ capacity for adaptation, resilience, and internationalization. The expected results include the identification of regulatory convergences, gaps, and opportunities for improvement, together with the formulation of a conceptual roadmap aimed at balancing digital protection and legal certainty with commercial agility. Ultimately, the project seeks to strengthen Costa Rica’s competitiveness and enhance the participation of Costa Rican SMEs in the digital economy and international trade |