Now that the issue of sustainability has become of the first order, the Government and the private sector are making efforts to ensure that more and more organizations adopt the status of Collective Interest Benefit Societies (BIC).
(The BIC Law and the harmonization of earnings and social contribution).
These companies conform to sustainable practices in five dimensions: business model, corporate governance, labor practices, environmental practices and practices with the community.
For example, in the business model they are concerned with buying or acquiring goods or services of local origin or in which women or minorities participate. They also advocate for fair trade and support to overcome poverty.
Colombia joined this movement with Law 1901 of 2018 and the respective regulations in Decree 2046 of 2019.
According to the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, María Ximena Lombana, 1,043 Benefit and Collective Interest companies (BIC) are registered in Colombia.
For the official with this figure, the Government can reach 1,500 companies operating under this model before the end of next year.
(BIC companies, an opportunity for entrepreneurs).
For the Minister, “With this figure, Colombia becomes the country with the most BIC companies among those in Latin America that have adopted this business model.”
What has been achieved so far confirms the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and social development, in the midst of the economic reactivation, the official said, who presented details on the characterization of the societies that have been linked to this trend so far.
Most of the registered BIC companies correspond to micro, small and medium-sized companies.
The official believes that this shows that The model is inclusive and allows even the smallest companies to strengthen their business models with good environmental and social practices, thus contributing to the sustainability and social development of the country.
However, also large and multinational companies such as Alpina, Movistar, Casa Toro, Tetra Pak, Carvajal and Banco Finandina, have decided to adopt this model and ratify their commitment to sustainability and responsible business conduct.
Regarding competitiveness and productivity, you can see the reception that this concept has had in all regions of the country.
REGIONS AND ADVICE
These companies are not concentrated only in large capitals, but are distributed in 27 of the 32 departments, explains the Minister.
In Bogotá, Risaralda, Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Boyacá, Nariño and Santander, There are 70% of the Collective Interest Benefit companies in the country, while the Caribbean Coast contributes 11% of the total.
An increasing trend is also detected in Casanare, Tolima and Putumayo.
Another interesting fact is that 60% of BIC Companies carry out services and commerce activities, while 13% correspond to the manufacturing sector.
However, he states, The representation of companies in the ICT, construction, education and tourism sectors stands out.
Entrepreneurs have joined the official initiative to promote the adoption of the BIC model.
Julián Domínguez, president of Confecámaras, considers that exceeding the 1,000 organizations that are BIC companies in the country is the result of the Ministry’s work with the chambers of commerce that have actively participated with an advisory and technical assistance program which includes awareness days and specialized support to companies to promote the BIC model in the regions.
“We invite companies that are not yet BIC to approach the chamber of commerce of their jurisdiction and begin this path”, He says.
BOGOTA
