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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, 12:18 in Friendly Talkzone.

Lionheart says on May 10, 2005, 19:17:

the solution to pollution More horses and carts plus rikshas would be helpful for many cities to reduce the smog, their "exhaust" is biodegradable. And modern US cities have already discovered that bicycle couriers are better and faster than taxis etc. Not all "advancements" in modern technology are really that good.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on May 11, 2005, 06:11:

Inge I'm glad you like it
Welcome to colombia ;-)

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Inge says on May 11, 2005, 16:14:

dear gringoinbogota I know there are very many horse and wagons in Bogota, and I know the bad shape the horses are usually in. I feel sorry for them. But the owners will not take better care of the horses, they will buy a car if they have more money. It has benefits for them as well: they will not have so much to do with the weather anymore.
The problem is: they lack financial means. And if investors do not invest in Colombia, this will not improve. Therefore, please invest in Colombia, it will give them a chance. All sectors rely on and hope for foreign investment, without it, the rich only will become richer and the poor poorer.

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Inge says on May 12, 2005, 13:57:

investment Tinto, I did not see that figure when I was working, but I looked it up just now. What I could find on the Banco de la Republica website (under statistics, international investment position)is that Colombia has a total of actives of a bit more than 30 billion in the exterior, this includes about 4.3 billion direct investment. These figures are first semester 2004.
This money is probably in the hands of (relatively) very few people, that like to keep thing as they are. I spoke to representatives of very many sectors, and none of them spoke about this, they all hope for foreign investment. To improve the infrastructure, competivity of companies, to create employment, etcetera.
Colombia will probably sign the free trade agreement with the US shortly (don't misunderstand me, I'm not exactly supporting this, but I believe it will become reality) so Colombia would better catch up before it is too late. Therefore, I hope people will invest in Colombia.

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Lionheart says on May 12, 2005, 15:46:

different investment types I think Inge is refering to investments by multinational corporations mainly, where a large part would stay in Colombia in the form of jobs and taxes. Also a larger number of small inverstors would eventually help.

The existing capital is in the hands of a few who naturally want to keep the money in their hands, and also keep control of what they have. I have read about a few people/corporations doing investments, but they are not enough. Colombia is very much traditionally family run, and the money stays in the family. The change of this mentality won't happen fast, probably only under pressure from foreign investments creating competition.

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Inge says on May 15, 2005, 12:13:

investment I am refering to investment by foreigners in general, because there are not enough Colombian investors willing to invest in Colombia. I think market access will be easier in the future, especially for US producers. In my opinion not investing will definitely not help (loss of competitiveness, risk of US supply overflowing the Colombian market). Therefore, companies need to invest, and I hope Colombia can benefit from this, for example by the creation of employment.

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