🕒 Created

Maria del Mar Palau and the Cali Chamber of Commerce Outline Recovery Strategy for Businesses Hit by Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake

The Cali Chamber of Commerce, led by Maria del Mar Palau, has launched a comprehensive strategy to reactivate the business sector following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake on August 10, 2026. The entity has identified 28,000 companies across Colombia affected by the seismic event, with 9,300 of those located in the Valle del Cauca region. Palau emphasized that the strategy focuses on validating solutions for entrepreneurs who have already reported their needs, moving beyond simple data collection. The Cali City Government, in coordination with the national government, is preparing to offer tax relief, specialized credit lines, and asset contributions in kind. In the city of Cali, technical teams have characterized 1,493 productive units, noting that 0.89% of these are micro-enterprises. The recovery effort aims to protect approximately 34,000 jobs at risk. Authorities are urging for rapid intervention to ensure that small businesses, which often serve as the primary source of sustenance for local families, can resume operations before the economic impact becomes a permanent crisis.

Sources