internship in Bogota

Colombia, the country is known for the violence, the guerilla-war, the kidnapping and of course the cocaineproduction and –trade. In the three months that I have been working as an intern in Bogotá, I found out the truth is somewhat different. Violence and drugtraffic are never deniable, still in normal life in a city as Bogotá it is hardly to be noticed. Bogotá is a modern city, in which all sectors of the private sector are represented, and where the Colombian government is established. People are usually very friendly and welcoming. The private sector and the industries are at times not very developed and modern, but well organised.

Safety and security in Colombia is very dependent on the region. The industrial cities and both coasts are known as safe, the country is still risky. Safety on the roads (transport) is improving, the amount of robberies on transports is decreasing strongly over the last few years. A sufficient amount of airports is present yet in Colombia, tariffs are amongst the lowest in South America, and transport by airplane is very safe.

The atmosphere in Bogotá’s businesslife is usually very friendly and open, at least what I have experienced. It is clear the will to develop the country is present amongst Colombians, but they lack means. Many times I visited Colombians for my work, and they requested if I please wanted to go visit their beautiful country. Colombia has a huge potential and the will to modernise the country is present in many sectors. In order to do that there are unfortunately not enough (financial) means available, and because of the bad image and a securitysituation that could use some improving not many foreign investors are yet present in the country.

Colombia does have some advantages for companies. The country has shown macro-economical growth for a few years now. Colombia has a strategical position in relation to the United States, Europe and Asia, with a Pacific coast as well as a Caribean coast. Colombia has many different climates, also because of the difference in altitude, and a very large biodiversity (second in the world). Very many primary goods are available in Colombia, because of the natural resources (oil, metals, etcetera). Companies can profit from taxbenefits in the freetrade zones, that are present at the coasts and in the most important interior cities. With the implementation of the free trade agreement with the United States (currently under negotiation) a permanent legislation and stability is expected regarding foreign investment.

In Colombia I have talked to representatives of many sectors of the Colombian private sector, to the Colombian government and to some Dutch companies that have establishments in Colombia. In most of these conversations I repeatedly noticed the hospitality and the will to develop the country further.

Before I went to Colombia, I did not really know what to think of the country. Because of the very many bad newsreports a bad image of the country is generated. People apparently do not want to hear positive news from this country. My personal image of the country therefore proved unjust: the country does have problems, but the country has a huge potential, and people are very friendly. Therefore my conclusion is: give Colombia a shot. It is worth it.

Inge de Dreu
Former intern Dutch Embassy in Bogotá

By Inge on May 10, 2005, 12:17 in Friendly Talkzone.

---

More posts by the same author:

Medellin 2

internship in Bogota 7

place to stay in Bogota 28