Traslated by Andrés Martínez Forero
‘Bogotá, My City, My Home’ continues to forge international partnerships aimed at advancing economic growth, development, and tourism. To enhance institutional capacity and energize shared strategic sectors, the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá, through the Secretariat for Economic Development, and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism of San Juan, Puerto Rico, signed a memorandum of understanding to lay the groundwork for technical collaboration in areas such as SME support, internationalization, tourism, innovation, rural economies, and cultural promotion.
You can consult: 'Bogotá, Your Home': The first major official publication on its tourism
This marks a new phase of cooperation between the two cities, centered on mutual learning and the development of joint strategies to strengthen their positions in the global economy.
“ Bogotá has a clear roadmap a strong commitment to sustainable economic development. The fact that San Juan sees us as a strategic ally in advancing their own processes is a testament to our ability to generate impact and build a productive city,” said María del Pilar López Uribe, Secretary for Economic Development of Bogotá.
The partnership is designed to foster and strengthen cooperation through practical initiatives such as sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge, and applying best practices in economic development. These actions include roundtables, workshops, technical visits, and the development of joint tools for effective public management.
Bogotá’s efforts will focus on transferring business internationalization models, productivity measurement methodologies, and strategies to attract foreign investment, as well as promoting business tourism and strengthening rural and local sectors through programs such as “Bogotá Corazones Productivos” and “Impulso Capital.”
San Juan will share expertise on SME financial support programs, incentive and grant schemes, U.S. market entry strategies, and its experience in export regulations, certifications, and the development of creative industries, tourism, and technology.
“We’re excited to be here and strengthen ties between our cities. We are both gateways—entry points to our countries and showcases for our tourism and economic sectors. We're eager to learn more about the entrepreneurship levels Bogotá has identified so we can better support those efforts. We see opportunities and strong synergies, as we face many of the same challenges,” said Daphne Barbeito Cambiella, Director of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism of San Juan.
Both cities will prioritize building capacity for multi-destination tourism, leveraging their cultural, culinary, and commercial attractions. Planned actions include the creation of tourist information hubs in key locations and launching joint promotional campaigns at fairs, on social media, and across digital platforms to highlight investment and travel opportunities in Bogotá and San Juan. The partnership will also explore cross-promotion strategies to raise global visibility for both cities as sustainable, vibrant destinations.
To ensure follow-through on the commitments, a binational coordinating committee will be established to define work plans, approve schedules and methodologies, and oversee implementation. This committee will consist of technical representatives from both cities and serve as the official channel for communication and coordination.
Don't leave without reading: Bogotá is the third destination for foreign investment in Latin America
The signing ceremony included representatives from the Institute for Social Economy, Bogotá’s Tourism Institute, Invest in Bogotá, and the Bogotá Office of International Relations. This alliance represents a significant step in establishing ‘‘Bogotá, My City, My Home’,and San Juan as leading examples of innovative territorial cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
For more details, see the full announcement on X by Secretariat for Economic Development of Bogotá:
#AquíSíPasa: Bogotá y San Juan de Puerto Rico se unen por el desarrollo económico.
— Secretaría Desarrollo Económico (@DesarrolloBta) May 9, 2025
Firmamos un acuerdo con el Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Turismo de San Juan para compartir experiencias, impulsar el turismo, fortalecer a las empresas y abrir más puertas al… pic.twitter.com/Pa7vSJ7tvB
*This article was created using information provided by the Bogotá’s International Relations Office and curated by a journalist from Portal Bogotá. For suggestions, questions, or more information, visit Bogotá Te Escucha: https://bogota.gov.co/sdqs/
