Provides references to the principal business associations, indicating which accept U.S. companies. Describes the primary roles of those associations and to what extent they influence government actions.
Last Published: 10/9/2019
  • Association of Automotive Importers and Exporters (Asopartes) - Asopartes is a non-profit association representing and defending the social, commercial and technical interests of the automotive sector in Colombia. It offers to its members a channel of communication between government authorities and private companies.
  • Association of Pharmaceutical Research and Development Laboratories (AFIDRO) - AFIDRO is a private and non-profit trade association that brings together the Pharmaceutical Research and Development (R&D) companies established in Colombia. AFIDRO defends the principles of Intellectual Property (IP), efficacy and pharmaceutical safety for medicines.
  • Banking Association (Asobancaria) - Asobancaria is the representative association of the Colombian financial sector. It is composed of national and foreign commercial banks, both public and private, the most significant financial corporations, and special official institutions. Asobancaria’s main objective is to promote the development of the banking sector in alignment with the country’s strategic interests.
  • Colombian Association of Airlines (ALAICO) - ALAICO is a non-profit organization created in 1995 with the objective to preserve, defend, and develop the interests of the International Air Transport industry in Colombia.
  • Colombian Association of Flower Exporters (Asocolflores) - Asocolflores is the Colombian Association of Flower Exporters. It was created in 1973 to represent, promote, and strengthen the competitiveness of Colombian floriculture domestically and internationally. Its main office is in Bogotá and it has regional offices in Antioquia (Rionegro) and Pereira.
  • Colombian Association of Hospitals and Clinics (ACHC) - The Colombian Association of Hospitals and Clinics is a non-profit organization that promotes technical and administrative capacity building though information, training, and representation.
  • Colombian Association of Integrative Medicine Companies (ACEMI) - The Colombian Association of Integrative Medicine Companies is a non-profit organization created in 1992 with the purpose of representing the private affiliated companies that administer various healthcare services and health benefit plans.
  • Colombian Association of Systems Engineers (ACIS) - The Colombian Association of Systems Engineers is a non-profit organization that groups more than 1500 professionals. ACIS’ objective is to develop human talent in computer technology sciences in Colombia, strengthening the knowledge of IT and supporting the responsible application of Systems Engineering and related careers.
  • Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (ANATO) - The Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies is a non-profit organization that represents, defends, and promotes the general interests of tourism and travel agencies in Colombia. It was created in 1949 and is comprised of associated agencies throughout Colombia with 9 chapters of representation.
  • Colombian Engineers Society (SCI) - The Colombian Engineers Society is a non-profit organization created in 1887 to improve the quality of life and welfare of humanity through the advancement of science and engineering. The society has diverse groups that represent the different areas of engineering to provide a comprehensive technical advisory service in each field that fits the specific needs of its members.
  • Colombian Federation of Cattle Ranchers (FEDEGAN) - The Colombian Federation of Cattle Ranchers is a non-profit organization created in 1963 to represent the interests of Colombian cattle ranchers, regional and local cattle breeding organizations, as well as other entities linked to national livestock activity. The organization provides market research, information on livestock policy, and other services to the industry.
  • Colombian Hotel and Tourism Association (COTELCO) – The Colombian Hotel and Tourism Association represents and supports the interests of the Colombian hotel and tourism sector, strengthening its competitiveness and productivity.
  • Colombian Merchants Association (Fenalco)- Fenalco represents the trade and services sector in Colombia. Its mission is to strengthen private initiative and institutions and provide innovative products and services that drive business competitiveness. Fenalco’s main headquarters is located in the municipality of Cota, Cundinamarca, with 14 regional offices throughout the country.
  • Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) - The Colombian Petroleum Association (ACP) is the association that groups private companies in Colombia that develop exploration, exploitation, transportation, and distribution of oil, distribution of liquid fuels and lubricants, and natural gas.
  • Council of American Enterprises (CEA) - The Council of American Enterprises is a progressive and dynamic non-profit organization founded in 1962 whose purpose is to support American Companies established in Colombia. Currently, CEA has more than 120 member companies, all of which are majority owned by U.S. corporations, representing the most significant sectors of the economy: agriculture, food, tobacco and beverage; automotive; machinery and equipment; chemical and agrochemical; communications and information technology; consumer products; energy; external auditing, consulting and professional services; insurance, banking and fiduciary; manufacturing, paper, cardboard and textile; pharmaceutical; medical equipment; security; and transportation.
  • National Association of Foreign Trade (ANALDEX) - ANALDEX is the National Association of Foreign Trade, founded in 1971, that aims to promote and strengthen national export activity, promote the image of Colombia abroad, and support the design and execution of export policies. ANALDEX provides consulting services for Colombian exporters to develop trade strategies. It also encourages exports and global competitiveness through workshops.
  • National Coffee Growers Federation of Colombia - The National Coffee Growers Federation of Colombia is a non-profit organization created in 1927 that represents coffee growers. It is considered one of the largest rural NGOs in the world and represents more than 500,000 coffee growers’ families.
  • National Federation of Cereal Growers (FENALCE) - In July 1960 a group of 50 farmers founded the National Federation of Cereal Growers to promote Colombian grain production. Its members include almost one million families who derive their livelihood from growing cereals, legumes, wheat, sorghum, barley, corn, and oats.
  • National Financial Entities Association (ANIF) - Since its founding in 1974, ANIF has transformed from being a traditional association into a private think tank that develops economic policy. ANIF has become one of the main economic research centers in Colombia and has a wide influence in public opinion. Its main activities are carrying out studies, disseminating ideas, and hosting seminars.
  • National Industries Association (ANDI) - The National Industries Association is a non-profit organization that promotes the political, economic, and social principles of free enterprise. It was founded in 1944 in Medellin and has become one of the most important business groups in Colombia. It is composed of companies from sectors encompassing industrial, financial, agribusiness, food, commercial, and services, among others.
  • Plastic Industries Association (Acoplásticos) - Acoplásticos is the industry association that represents companies in the following sectors: plastics, chemistry, petro-chemistry, rubbers, paintings, paints, and fibers. 
  • Small Business Association (ACOPI) - ACOPI is a non-profit organization founded in 1951 that represents, supports, defends and seeks to improve the productivity levels of SMEs in the Colombian Atlantic region. Its main offices are located in Barranquilla.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.