Colombia's incoming government and Fenalco agree agenda to boost commerce

The National Federation of Merchants (Fenalco), led by President Jaime Alberto Cabal, met in Barranquilla with Colombia's vice‑president‑elect José Manuel Restrepo and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Mauricio Gómez Amín. The three officials outlined a joint four‑year roadmap aimed at strengthening the country's commercial sector.

The agenda focuses on three strategic lines: exploiting opportunities from the recovery of the Venezuelan market, simplifying bureaucratic procedures for traders, and accelerating the internationalisation of the Colombian economy. As a first concrete step, Fenalco and the Ministry announced the creation of the "Plan Tenderos," a national programme to support small shop owners, bakers and neighbourhood merchants with modernisation, technology, security and productivity measures.

The meeting signals a coordinated public‑private effort to promote formal employment, competitiveness and growth across Colombia's regions.