Latin America and the Caribbean are experiencing significant economic change due to the arrival of economy 4.0, which is transforming the way business is done and economies are managed worldwide. This phenomenon is characterized by the convergence of technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, robotics and data analysis.
In countries like Colombia, especially on the northern coast, there is an evident need to boost productivity, innovation and competitiveness. In this context, it is crucial that our region is not left behind in this revolution. At the national level, there is a growing interest in digitalization and adoption of advanced technologies, especially in intermediate cities, which are transforming traditional sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and services, with greater emphasis after the covid-19 pandemic.
BPO, KPO and ITO, as the outsourcing sector and subsectors are known, generate more than 750,000 jobs nationwide, of which 54% of the jobs are occupied by women, according to figures from the Colombian Association of BPO. This represents a potential to boost female work and reduce the gap in women’s participation in the labor market in the region.
Santa Marta is one of the cities that are considered ideal to host the service sector and free zones, being an important commercial port, logistics center and processing of food and agricultural products. In addition, it houses companies from various sectors, including ports, wholesale and retail trade, financial and real estate services, among others, promoting the development of their capabilities in industries such as audiovisual production, call center services, software and technology.
Recently, the Santa Marta Chamber of Commerce for Magdalena has initiated the Santa Marta 4.0 project, which is based on the formation of a multidisciplinary group promoted by various actors that represent the city’s ecosystem (academia, public and private sector and organizations of civil society). The initiative, in addition to defining the business platforms and services to focus on Santa Marta and the region, aims to develop a marketing plan to position the Santa Marta-region 4.0 brand globally.
The BPO, KPO and ITO sector has experienced a growth of 13% at the national level, which is why our purpose is to create an ecosystem of opportunities for entrepreneurs and large businessmen, young people and especially for the more than 46,000 women who work in conditions vulnerability in the District.
Industry 4.0 is a dream for our region, where the participation of all actors in the territory will continue to be essential; from the academy with relevant education programs, from a strong demand from the private sector and the creation of conditions by local governments to attract new investments to our city. With determination and joint work we will achieve sustainable, inclusive and competitive growth for Santa Marta and Magdalena.
