Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship: the Goals set by the Government in the National Development Plan  

Through the National Development Plan (NDP) proposed for 2022-2026, the Colombian government has set guidelines and objectives for social inclusion in all productive sectors and social strata and the promotion of the nation’s economic development. For its approval, the necessary debates have already taken place and the conciliation with the text already approved in the Senate is pending.  In this sense, it is important to highlight the points related to innovation, technology and entrepreneurship set out in the Government’s roadmap for the next four years. Such as the promotion and encouragement of new creations and entrepreneurship, the closing of the existing digital gap, scientific and technological developments, investments, business innovation, among others.

The NDP sets out some tools to be used in the path towards the recognition by the Government of individual and social development, the promotion of innovation, culture and productive transformation through the use of creations related to Intellectual Property and traditional knowledge, as well as the use of digital talent to increase labor productivity and the economic empowerment of women through entrepreneurial skills. Some of the points worth highlighting are set out below:

1. Entrepreneurship support

With the growing economies and their progress, on the one hand, the promotion and strengthening of women’s entrepreneurship is established, with innovation and advisory alternatives as follows: (i) The development of tools to support entrepreneurial initiatives of urban and rural women will be developed; (ii) The support of the Fondo Mujer Emprende will continue, which will be administered and guided by the vice presidency and; (iii) The pilot program of green jobs for women to take care of forests and watersheds will be promoted. All of this in order to close existing gender gaps and strengthen women’s economic empowerment.

Additionally, it seeks to benefit the formation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) throughout the country given their importance, as these are new companies that drive the Colombian economy, in the graph (image 1) reflects the range of operational time of enterprises with a variation of 2.10% and only 40.5% of companies with a stable permanence in the market.

 

In line with this, the NDP proposes the granting of loans for the promotion of digital and cultural enterprises, as well as for the creation of sustainable enterprises with greater possibility of growth, seeking to reduce the costs and operation of enterprises in Colombia. As well as the development of lines of microcredit, credit, group credit, among others for the financing of this type of business vehicle.

2. Support for the inclusion of ICTs for the development of a globalized society

The NDP sets out a course of action regarding digital connectivity and the inclusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for social and economic development. It seeks to achieve digital literacy in all communities and the culture of digital knowledge for the Colombian population, to ensure a differential approach, in order to generate opportunities, wealth, equality and productivity. In other words, it seeks to strengthen the use of technological tools in order to achieve social productivity.

Some of the proposals and programs to be implemented: attention routes, virtual programs and mobile digital laboratories mainly for children, young people and older adults. Mobilization to bring connectivity to the most remote areas of the country where to prioritize access to education, labor productivity and social welfare, to effectively meet the needs that arise in the country.

For the development of this course of action, the creation of a Digital Security Agency is proposed, which will watch over the digital protection of the country. This agency is still pending approval in the Senate in order to give way to what is proposed in the PND.

3. Digital transformation of the judicial system 

It seeks to formulate a comprehensive policy for the effective functioning of the judicial system, expanding its coverage capacity within the Colombian territory, satisfying the needs of citizens.

To achieve the above:

(1) The presentation of a single comprehensive State policy will be launched, focusing on processes of modernization, use and orientation of ICT tools to improve the quality of the provision of service to justice in accordance with the needs and capabilities of the people allowing them to access and know the rules in force through the means offered by the entities of the National Government, thus eliminating the gap to access to it.

(2) The connectivity and technological capacities of justice operators and the digital use of justice at the territorial level will be increased with the development of digital and technological infrastructure in the country.

In conclusion, for the execution of the NDP, the Government is interested in strengthening and improving the use of technology, fostering the birth of entrepreneurship, business innovation and innovation in the public and private sector; This with the development of strategies in technical aspects, financing, business culture, entrepreneurship and innovation to embrace digital technologies in the productive sectors of the country, likewise providing for public investment in science, innovation and research, promoting greater globalization, systematization, use of data and emerging digital technologies of all actions carried out by the state and by citizens, as well as support and strengthening of micro, small and medium enterprises, through the use of intellectual property and technology watch, with a view to improving the business structure of the country.

In spite of the favorable points found in terms of innovation and technology within the PND, the points raised are still subject to debate and approval by the Government. We therefore hope that the ideas set out in this action route of the current government will be duly adopted and implemented, with priority, responsibility and assuming the state burdens implied by the commitments established.