Government activates Decree 1418 to redirect chamber of commerce funds to quake-hit MSMEs
Published · Updated
What happened
The Colombian government put Decree 1418 into effect on September 18 so chambers of commerce can redirect resources to support earthquake-affected MSMEs through reconstruction, digital and technology upgrades, and business reactivation programs.
Why it matters
The decree moves recovery financing through entities that already have local business registries and operating capacity, which can shorten the time between authorization and disbursement. It also shifts execution risk toward plan approval, regional allocation and contractor selection, where uneven criteria or weak controls can alter who receives support first.
On September 18, the Colombian government activated Decree 1418, allowing chambers of commerce to reallocate part of their resources toward reconstruction, technology upgrades and business reactivation for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the recent earthquake. The measure opens a fast execution channel outside ordinary budget programs and gives regional chambers a direct operational role in recovery. The immediate policy question is how quickly plans are approved and whether targeting and procurement controls are tight enough to avoid capture or uneven territorial coverage.
Watch for
Ministry of Commerce publication of implementation guidance for Decree 1418 on eligible uses and approval criteria by 2026-09-22 Confecámaras release naming participating chambers and resource envelopes by department by 2026-09-22 Bogotá, Cali or Bucaramanga chambers of commerce publication of beneficiary application windows or board-approved recovery plans by 2026-09-22 National Procurement Agency or Chamber procurement portals posting the first contracting notices linked to Decree 1418-funded reconstruction or technology programs by 2026-09-22
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