One of the main events supported by the Chamber of Commerce is Bogota Fashion Week, a platform that seeks to position the capital as a national and international fashion reference. In its seventh edition, held from May 22 to 24, 110 designers participated, including emerging talent from the San Victoriono area through the Puente project.

The fashion sector in Bogotá is vital to the local economy. With more than 32,454 companies, it represents 33% of the national market and generates more than 200,000 direct jobs, contributing 1.3% to local GDP. Initiatives such as Bogota Fashion Week not only promote independent design and sustainability, but also allow designers from the popular economy to showcase their talent in high-profile venues.

Ismo is an emerging fashion brand, based in San Victorino, which has managed to stand out in the competitive world of design thanks to the support of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce. On the program “Somos llaves”, Diana Briceño, Ismo's designer, shared her experience on how participating in Bogota Fashion Week was a turning point for the brand.

"Being at Bogota Fashion Week is an incredible opportunity to showcase our work and connect with new markets.”

The Chamber of Commerce not only provided a platform to showcase their collections, but also provided advice and resources to improve business management. This included training workshops on topics such as digital marketing, inventory management and sales techniques, which allowed Ismo to professionalize and reach a wider audience. The visibility obtained at Bogota Fashion Week opened doors to new business opportunities and collaborations, consolidating Ismo as an emerging reference in local fashion.

Another crucial issue addressed is the Silver Economy Program, launched by the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, which has two main objectives: to promote the development of businesses focused on care for the elderly and to contribute to their health, well-being and quality of life. It seeks to benefit more than 430 companies of all sizes and improve the well-being of both the elderly and their caregivers.

Juan Eduardo Cros, silver economy expert, spoke about the importance of the silver economy, highlighting the relevance of this segment both globally and in Colombia: “The silver economy worldwide is already a reality. The most developed first world countries are already very old, they are losing population, that is, more people are dying than are born. This means that the population is decreasing and, therefore, there are many problems for the economy and many situations and needs that are still not being met”. Cros emphasized the urgency of sensitizing and making everyone aware of the importance of this segment not only as a business, but also as a vital need for sustainable development.

Some micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have managed to internationalize thanks to the support of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce and events such as the Summit of the Americas. At the last edition of the Summit, held May 8-10, María Fernanda Garza, president of the World Chambers Federation, said that “global access is an imperative for the sustainable growth of MSMEs”. According to Garza, more than 70% of the MSMEs that participate in these events manage to establish international business contacts, which translates into an average increase of 35% in their exports.

These efforts are essential for MSMEs to access new markets and expand their operations beyond national borders. Garza also stressed that “MSMEs represent 90% of the business sector and generate 50% of employment worldwide,” underscoring the importance of providing them with the tools and opportunities to compete in the global market. With the support of the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, many of these companies have been able to overcome logistical and regulatory barriers, allowing them not only to grow, but also to contribute significantly to the economic development of Bogota and the region. If you want to learn more about these and other topics about the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, we invite you to watch the television program Somos llaves, which is broadcast every last Saturday of the month on the CityTV channel. You can also watch previous episodes in the media section of our website or on our YouTube account.