• Although 42% of the companies consider that the economic situation will remain the same, 36% affirm that it will improve.

• Inflation and the exchange rate are the main concerns of businessmen. Inflation went from 1% in the first semester of 2021 to 26% in the second semester of the same year and reached 20% in the first semester of 2022.

In the Business Rhythm Survey, which is conducted twice a year in 25 Chambers of Commerce in the country, the Bogota Chamber of Commerce consulted 462 companies among its affiliates between August 1 and 5 regarding the performance of their sales, exports, employment and investment.

All these indicators registered a growth in the first semester of 2022, compared to the second semester of 2021. Companies were also asked about the difficulties they face.

Sales rebounded

• After 4 consecutive semesters of negative balance, sales continued to recover the lost ground.

• Thirty-two percent of the companies in Bogota recorded an increase in sales, while at the national level, 29% reported an increase in sales.

• The average increase in sales in the first half of the year was 23% for Bogota and 22% for the nation.

Las exportaciones se dinamizaron

• In the first half of 2022, the percentage of companies that exported increased by 4 p.p. with respect to the previous measurement. It went from 7% to 11%.

• This is a much higher percentage than that recorded at the national level, which was 5.1%. The main destinations are: USA, Ecuador, Chile. Peru, Venezuela, Panama, Germany, Costa Rica.

Lack of interest and lack of knowledge of procedures, main barriers to exporting

• Most companies in Bogota and the nation stated that they do not export due to lack of interest. In the case of the capital city this percentage is 29% and in the nation 39%.

• In Bogota, the second reason for not exporting is the lack of knowledge of the procedures.

• In the Nation, they consider that the domestic market is sufficient.

Employment was also boosted

• In the first half of 2022, the percentage of companies reporting an increase in the number of workers in Bogota rose by 10 percentage points to 20%.

• Nationally, 14% of companies reported an increase in the number of workers.

Investment continued on the growth path

• In the first half of 2022, the percentage of companies in Bogota that invested in machinery or equipment to expand their production capacity increased to 22%. At the national level, this indicator was 27%.

Digital transformation is a reality in companies

• In Bogota, 59% of the companies stated that they have already carried out or are in the process of digital transformation. At the national level, this percentage is 52%.

• In Bogota, 18% say they are interested in transforming digitally but do not know how to do so.

• A low percentage considers it important, but has not yet implemented it (13%), or has not considered it (10%).