CEA has a series of committees that are actively involved in different areas of interest to promote good business: 

Environment

The Environmental Committee’s main objective is to sensitize and inform CEA’s members on issues of environmental management and legislation, technological advances, sewage treatment and bio-diversity.  The committee raises awareness of current issues by sharing best practices related to these areas, making this topic a competitive advantage and providing added value for the companies and their customers.
Currently, the committee works with the support of the Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development, the U.S. Embassy in Colombia and the National Association of Colombian Industrialists (ANDI) on issues related to corporate environmental responsibility, conservation and sustainable use of environmental resources, integrated management water, environmental sustainability of domestic production, and planning and efficient management of the environment.
The Environmental Committee organizes and promotes an annual forum focused on bringing media attention to the environmental programs carried out by the private sector in Colombia.

Economy, External Relations and Foreign Investment

This committee is responsible for promoting strong relationships between CEA and Colombian and U.S. government agencies. Its current focus is on programs for trade integration and the Free Trade Agreement.

This committee also reports on issues that affect American companies with investment in Colombia and develops CEA’s positions on Colombian economic issues and promoting the country’s competitive advantages in order to encourage further U.S. investment.

Infrastructure, Logistics & Transportation (Cargo)

The committee works to establish a true picture of the cargo transportation situation for companies in order to exert a productive impact on government decisions. In this respect, the goal is to make transportation more efficient and competitive and to promote an active exchange of experiences on issues such as highway security, piracy, customs, maritime ports, air terminals, as well as insurance and security costs in order to provide tangible benefits for participating companies.

Intellectual Property and Business Law

The committee works to promote definitions and changes to national legislation regarding intellectual property issues, as well as to clarify policies regarding the problems with product falsification and usurpation of American trade marks in Colombia. The committee works in close collaboration with Colombian trade associations such as ANDI (National Association of Industrialists), AFIDRO (Association of Research Pharmaceutical Laboratories) and the U.S. Embassy on issues concerning the protection of intellectual and industrial property rights.

The committee also examines tax reforms, lawsuits, claims on basic rights, class action proceedings, legislation and decrees that involve or could affect the development of American multinational companies in Colombia.

CEA Security – OSAC Colombia Country Council

The committee has been active for 18 years, promoting initiatives aimed at ensuring security for the executives, staff and facilities of its members.

The Security Committee works closely with Colombian authorities and represents the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), an organization of the U.S. Department of State, in Colombia.

IT (Information Technology) Solutions – Bogotá and Cali

The committee encourages electronic technology and trade by helping to ensure that Colombian legislation in this area coincides with international law, not only for the benefit of our members, but to promote competitiveness in the country.  The committee also interacts with academic institutions to promote and support specialized training in disciplines related to e-Commerce.

Human Resources – Talent Management

The Human Resources Committee aims at promoting the theme of human competitive advantage within a comprehensive scope that encompasses three fundamental management needs: strategic and organizational alignment,leadership and executive development, and talent and performance management. Occupational health issues are also addressed in this committee.

For our Cali Affiliates

The Security and IT Solutions committees hold monthly meetings in conjunction with the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce in Cali. These sessions are for member companies with headquarters or branches in that city. The objectives and activities are the same as those in Bogotá.