Government renews spokespersons on boards of directors of Chambers of Commerce

The National Government has terminated the appointments of the principal and alternate members representing it on the boards of directors of the country’s Chambers of Commerce and ordered the initiation of the process for their new provision. The decision, adopted through Decree 1369 of 2026 on September 9, was published in the Official Gazette No. 53,622 on Thursday, September 10, 2026, and signed by the President of the Republic and the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, Mauricio Gómez Amín.

The regulation is based on numeral 13 of article 189 of the Political Constitution and article 82 of the Commercial Code, as modified by article 5 of Law 1727 of 2014. The decree clarifies that the termination of the appointments does not imply any judgment regarding the suitability, management, or conduct of the currently appointed individuals, nor does it constitute a sanction of any kind.

Renewal of the spokesperson mandate

The decree explains that on August 7, 2026, a new constitutional government period began; therefore, it is the responsibility of the Executive to define and execute government policy regarding commerce, industry, and tourism, as well as the strengthening of mercantile activity in the regions. Since the government spokesperson role is a representative mandate whose material content is government policy, it was considered necessary to renew it so that those exercising it act in consultation with current policy, under the terms of article 2.2.2.38.2.3 of Decree 1074 of 2015.

Pursuant to article 80 of the Commercial Code, modified by article 3 of Law 1727 of 2014 and added by article 87 of Law 2294 of 2023, the National Government shall be represented on said boards up to one-third of each. The appointed members have no fixed term and may be appointed and removed at any time.

New appointments and transition

Article 2 of the decree provides that the National Government will initiate the process established in article 11 of Law 1727 of 2014 regarding the new appointments of its representatives, through the corresponding administrative acts. In the meantime, the boards of directors will continue to meet and make decisions with the remaining members, according to the quorum provided for in article 83 of the Commercial Code.

The project was submitted to a national public consultation for five calendar days on the website of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, between August 11 and 15, 2026. The communication of the decree’s content will be carried out through the General Secretariat of that ministry to the persons whose appointments are terminated, to the Chambers of Commerce, and to the Superintendency of Companies, which since January 1, 2022, has exercised inspection, surveillance, and control over the chambers.

Key points of the regulation

• Termination: the appointments of principal and alternate Government members to the boards of directors of the country’s chambers of commerce are nullified.
• New provision: the process outlined in Article 11 of Law 1727 of 2014 is initiated for new appointments.
• Continuity: the boards continue to meet with an absolute majority quorum of their members during the transition.
• Validity: the decree takes effect as of the date of its issuance, September 9, 2026.

The measure ensures that the State’s representation in the governing bodies of the chambers of commerce aligns with the government policy of the new constitutional period, without interrupting the ordinary operation of these entities. For entrepreneurs and affiliates, the renewal of the official spokespersonship redefines the balance of the boards of directors and the private sector’s dialogue with the Executive regarding business development and regional mercantile activity.

Source: Official Gazette of Colombia, No. 53,622, Thursday, September 10, 2026, Decrees section (official reference: Decree 1369 of 2026).