Colombia. In conversation with Robinson Martínez, who leads Acoltic, the new trade union organization of the ICT sector in the country, he responded to the following concerns about the plans and activities in Colombia:
Luis Pinto: What is Acoltic?
Robinson Martínez: We are the Colombian Association of companies in the ICT sector, which brings together objectives and ideals for the growth of ISP companies and different organizations within the technology sector at a general level.
L.P.: What is intended by creating this union?
R.M.: We want to be a leading guild that manages to represent the interests and objectives of all the associated companies, seeking the well-being of everyone within the technology and telecommunications sector, in issues that come to directly or indirectly affect the industry and each of the companies regardless of size. Become a channel of communication and participation.
L.P.: Why create a new one and not link to existing ones?
A.M.: Within the telecommunications guilds there are entities that focus on a specific line of the sector. What we want is to generate a collaborative work between the different union companies, while they are advised by us on issues concerning the sector; in turn, companies can create commercial links that increase the participation and growth of the industry taking into account, that Acoltic brings together several social objects divided into three formal chapters: companies operating services in the telecommunications sector; companies that manufacture and supply technology inputs; computer development companies. Generating a reach and impact greater than other associations in the market
L.P.: Who makes it up and who can make it up, what requirements must they meet?
A.M.: Acoltic has been founded by companies with a track record in the national market of 14 years and older. These include Metronet Colombia, Solenertel, Systel Comunicaciones, Doble Click Software e Ingeniería and S3; companies dedicated to creating solutions in technology, connectivity, networks and other services in the sector.
We want to have a wide reach, so any technology company that wants to participate in the guild and is part of the ICT, technology and telecommunications sector can affiliate with us. As basic requirements that they are legal persons of private law or mixed associations, with minimum share capital of 50% with private participation plus a share, making their registration process presenting the required documentation.
L.P.: What activities do you have scheduled?
A.M.: For now, we are focused on the participation of the most representative telecommunications fair in Latin America: Andina Link, through an agreement that we lead by bringing together ISPs for the First Latin American Meeting of Internet Associations.
Later we hope to have participation in events such as Andicom, DataNet and different fairs related to the sector. Additionally, training and conferences will be managed on legal issues such as the impact of the Tax Reform on the ICT sector, entrepreneurship in the digital industry, among other programs developed and announced during the year.
L.P.: What services or benefits do members receive?
A.M.: Initially, we want companies to feel that they can count on the guild, giving them legal and administrative advice on different issues related to lawsuits, sanctions, compliance with MinTIC parameters and general concerns. We keep them informed with updates, news and direct communications from regulatory entities in the sector and encourage the creation of alliances between the companies of the guild.
Likewise, we keep our training and conference grid up to date. We know that companies want to grow and the best way to do that is to have their staff trained to meet the needs of their customers.
Text written by Luis Pinto, advisor of TVyVideo+Radio.
