CESO | SACO: Sharing a Lifetime of Experience

According to the government of Colombia, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a strategic importance in the development and growth of the economy. SMEs generate 80% of Colombia’s total employment and contribute with 40% of total production of the country, yet many face challenges in design, product quality, lack of financial resources and access to more advanced technologies.

 

In 2009, the tourism industry registered 11% economic growth and in 2010 Colombia is projected to be the fifth most-visited country by tourists in Latin America.CESO and partners focus on increasing productivity and market competitiveness for small business in the subsectors of manufacturing and tourism.

Proexport promotes non-traditional exports, international tourism and foreign investment in Colombia, providing businesses with support and advisory services for their international trade activities. Proexport also offers the opportunity for CESO to contribute to developing SME exports and has recently facilitated CESO assignments with a group of small hotels in Boyacá and a group of garment manufacturers in Bogota.

Cucuta Chamber of Commerce is a non-governmental organization that stimulates regional economic development and offers administrative and promotional services to the Colombian State, the city of Cucuta and local businesses. It has helped to facilitate CESO assignments in garment production, ceramic products, furniture, dairy products, restaurants and hotels, among others.

Palmira Chamber of Commerce is a non-governmental organization that contributes to the strengthening of the managerial sector and the promotion of the economic, environmental, cultural and social development of the region to make it more competitive.

Bucaramanga Chamber of Commerce is a non-governmental organization that develops and supports programs for managerial and regional competitiveness, with a team that adapts corporate values in its activity.