03-08-2010

BBVA Colombia and the El Espectador newspaper joined to foster and stimulate competitiveness among Colombian SMEs with the launch of the Sustainable SME Award. The objective is to support the work of businesses that stand out for their use of technology and innovation as tools for improving productivity and competitiveness.

In selecting the winning SME, solid financial results and the implementation of social responsibility and environmental practices were also considered.

The winning business will receive a 100 million peso award for the development of its business project, free advertising in El Espectador and the opportunity to take a specialization course in the CESA College of Business Administration.

The award is granted to an SME in the country with at least 10 direct, active employees, earning over $250 million pesos, and that is able to certify that it has been in business for three years and who have documents accrediting their legal representation before the Chamber of Commerce. The businesses must pertain to the real or services sector and not participate with the public sector, and their sales must lie between $500 million and $12 billion pesos.

Entries will be accepted through to July 30th through the website www.premiopyme.com. The system will assign a code to each SME entered and will send email confirmation within 12 hours.