Arturo Calle to Chair Committee of Experts
Entrepreneur Arturo Calle will chair a new committee of experts created by Colombia‘s incoming government, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella announced as part of the measures his administration plans to launch when the new presidential term begins. The ad honorem panel will bring together business leaders and specialists to provide technical recommendations on the country’s short-, medium- and long-term priorities.
De la Espriella introduced the initiative alongside Ruta Milagro, a program designed to empower entrepreneurs through technical support and business mentorship. Both announcements formed part of a broader presentation outlining some of the economic initiatives the administration intends to implement during its first months in office.
According to De la Espriella, the committee will serve as a permanent forum for consultation, drawing on the experience of professionals from different sectors rather than career politicians. Arturo Calle will preside over the panel, whose members will participate without remuneration. The incoming administration has yet to release the full list of committee members, though officials expect to announce additional appointments before the new term begins.
Committee presented as a permanent forum for consultation
De la Espriella introduced the committee as a body that will examine Colombia’s structural, strategic, and short-term challenges while contributing technical recommendations to his administration. Local news outlets report that the committee will convene experts across business, finance, and related sectors to shape incoming government strategy.
The president-elect said the objective is to incorporate practical experience from outside public office into discussions on issues affecting investment, productivity, entrepreneurship, and national development. Although the committee will work alongside the incoming administration, government institutions will continue to exercise their constitutional responsibilities.
Details regarding the committee’s total membership, meeting schedule, and the public disclosure of its reports remain unannounced. Those operational details are expected to be defined after the government assumes office.
The announcement came during a public presentation in which De la Espriella outlined several economic measures planned for the beginning of his administration. Among them was Ruta Milagro, a program intended to provide practical support for entrepreneurs and small businesses through technical assistance, mentoring, access to financing and guidance aimed at strengthening business operations.
According to Valora Analitik, the first participant in the initiative will be Luis Felipe Yagüe Cotazo, a panela producer from the department of Caqueta. The program will provide him with 120 days of technical support to evaluate his business, improve commercial management, identify new market opportunities, and explore financing options under the supervision of Commerce Minister-designate Mauricio Gomez Amin. De la Espriella said the project is intended to become a model for supporting entrepreneurs in other regions of the country.
Calle brings more than six decades of business experience
The selection of Calle places one of Colombia’s best-known entrepreneurs at the head of the committee. Born in Medellin on Aug. 13, 1938, Calle moved to Bogota in 1958 and worked in a clothing store in the San Victorino commercial district before opening his own menswear business.
Over the following decades, the company expanded from a single shop into one of Colombia’s largest apparel retailers, operating stores across the country and later entering several Latin American markets.
His appointment comes during a period of continued investment by the company. Earlier this month, the brand Arturo Calle announced plans to invest about US$8 million during 2026 to open 13 new stores and renovate three existing locations in Colombia. The expansion program includes new points of sale and upgrades to existing stores as the retailer continues to strengthen its presence in the domestic market.
Company executives have also recently commented on the impact of international online marketplaces such as Shein and Temu, arguing that Colombian retailers often compete under different regulatory and tax conditions than foreign digital platforms. These statements have solidified Calle’s presence in national discussions on trade, industry, and employment, extending his influence beyond his corporate position.
More appointments expected before the new presidential term begins
The advisory panel is one of several transition initiatives introduced ahead of the De la Espriella swearing-in. While Arturo Calle has been confirmed as chair, the government has yet to name the remaining members or outline their fields of expertise — appointments that will ultimately define the committee’s scope.
Further announcements are expected before the start of Colombia’s new presidential term. These next steps are expected to clarify the committee’s final lineup, the rollout timeline for Ruta Milagro, and the broader economic agenda De la Espriella plans to pursue after taking office on Aug. 7.