In Colombia, ECLAC presented the Risaralda digital HUB

Between Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30, 2023, at the facilities of the Technological University of Pereira, (UTP), the Regional Commission for Competitiveness and Innovation (CRCI) and ECLAC, presented this tool to work groups of the sectors of Agribusiness, Metalworking, Fashion and Tourism in the department of Risaralda in Colombia.

During the sessions, the participants of the different work groups identified the objective and main functions of the hub: to expand the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem to the final beneficiaries of the productive economic development policy in Risaralda. In addition, it is a network of actors who develop a knowledge base and identify initiatives in the territory, from there coordinated actions are gestated for the productive development of the region.

This digital tool gives the possibility of directly reaching the business fabric, incorporating it as an actor in knowledge management and growth opportunities for the region. In turn, the direct arrival of the CRCI to the beneficiaries of productive development policies allows it to better lead the department’s competitiveness and innovation development plans, promoting these views and guidelines directly with institutions, companies, farmers and entrepreneurs.

At the end of the activity, Natalia García, executive director of the CRCI Risaralda, assured that: “with the implementation of the HUB, we contribute to the coordination of the work of public institutions, companies and academia; knowledge management is expanded among departmental actors (companies, institutions, entrepreneurs, among others) and inter-union ties are strengthened to make Risaralda a more competitive department”.

The main services offered by the HUB are:

• Updated information on issues of innovation, productivity, academy, competitiveness, technology.
• Calendar of events for each participating sector.
• Various public and private calls.
• International integration with different categories of production, research and innovation that are happening in other Latin American countries.
• Opportunities for productive development.
• Supply and demand of member needs and services.

To find out about the Risaralda digital HUB, go to www.hubcrc.org