Introduction

Colombia has what may be termed a modern political system.  In the 1991 Constitution Colombia is described as a single, democratic, participative, and pluralist state.  It has a decentralized structure and individual regions have autonomy in their policies and administration.

Central government includes legislative, executive, and judiciary branches that provides for a system of checks and balances.

• The Executive branch includes the President, who is elected for a four year term, and the ministers, department governors, mayors, etc.

• The Legislature is formed by a two chamber Congress that controls all Constitutional reform and well as law approval.  The Senate includes 102 members while the Representatives number 165.  All members are elected for four year terms, Senators nationally and Representatives locally.

• The Judiciary is formed by the Supreme Court, the Council of State, the Attorney General's Office and other tribunals and courts.

Apertura

In the late 1980's Colombia's government adopted a policy of Apertura with a goal to modernize and internationalize the Colombian economy through a comprehensive liberalization process involving the economic, trade, and political systems.

The Apertura, or "opening" of the economy includes: removing foreign investment restrictions, eliminating import quotas and reducting import tariffs to 11%, reducing foreign exchange controls, and privatizing some state-owned companies and financial institutions.  (33)

The governement's role in Colombia has not been to promote governement research and development or to focus plans on IT policies.  Rather, the governement has recognized that privatization is a major priority if Colombia is to compete in the global economy.  Until the infrastructure exists, government can have no plans that can be realized.  As a result, the fastest and easiest way to take advantage of available technology is to privatize and open the state-run telecom companies to competition.

Government Policies

The governement policy of apertura economica has fostered new possibilities for development in IT.  Important government policies involving IT areas that have arisen from the policy of apertura include:

    The Telecommunications Statute (Decree 1900) of 1990 in which private access to new telecommunications services was permitted.   Additionally, Colombian legislation has decreed that investment in these private companies is now open to foreign capital, a major step forward.

    The General Public Administration Contracting Statute (Law 80) of 1993 established a state contracting regime for telecommunications services which is subject to either direct contract or licence

    The Statute for Public Services (Law 142) of 1993 established that all telephone services from local to international can be provided by both private and public entities.

We are beginning to see the results of these policies through the privatization of Colombia's PTO Telecom and through the introduction of foreign investment into telephony and its infrastructure.  Government has not issued specific decrees concerning the use of technology and an aim, but rather is concerned with bringing technology into the country and creating an environment where it can flourish as the market demands.

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