The OECD Review of Colombia’s Innovation Policy is part of a series of OECD country reviews of innovation policy.* It was requested by the Colombian authorities, represented by the National Planning Department (DNP) and was carried out by the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry (DSTI) under the auspices of the Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP). The review draws on the results of a series of interviews with major stakeholders of Colombia’s innovation system and on a background report commissioned by the Colombian authorities. This background report was prepared by Lisbeth Fog, Monica Salazar, Carlos Nupia and Rafael Vesga. It contains a broad range of information that is drawn upon in this report.

This chapter provides an overview of Colombia’s macroeconomic and innovation performance. It begins with an examination of Colombia’s recent growth in the context of its long-term economic trajectory, notably in terms of productivity. It next looks at international trade and investment and structural change in production. The chapter then considers the current state of framework conditions for innovation and concludes with an assessment of Colombia’s aggregate innovation performance.

This chapter describes the main actors in the Colombian innovation system – business enterprises, agriculture, the organisations that make up the emerging ICT sector, higher education institutions and public research institutes – highlighting their respective roles in the development of the innovation system in recent years. It looks first at the overall innovation system in which these organisations are embedded and then reviews scientific, technological and related functions carried out by the main actors within the system and their contributions to innovation. The final section focuses on human resources for science, technology and innovation, which play a critical role in further developing Colombia’s economy. Related policies have to take into account current and emerging needs, especially of the business sector.

This chapter examines public activities that have a bearing on the Colombian innovation system. It begins with an examination of governance arrangements. It then charts the historical evolution of science, technology and innovation policy in Colombia and of attempts to influence the structure of production (in the longer term). The chapter then reviews a range of innovation policy tasks that appear pressing in light of the specific challenges faced by Colombia. It concludes with a summary note on government institutions.