Connecting trade across continents
Colombian IT firm acquired by Wisetech. Wisetech Global, an Australian developer that produces the logistics software ‘Cargowise’, has signed an agreement to acquire Opentecnología, a firm based in Bogotá specialising in customs and logistics technology.
Opentecnología, which was established in 2004, provides customised software solutions to clients to help them to ensure compliance with customs, tax and trade regulations. It is certified as a technology provider by Colombia’s tax and customs authority Dian. Through close cooperation with Dian and industry associations, the firm plays a key role in advancing digital customs processes in the country.
On top of this “Colombia is an important market for global forwarders and a strategic nearshoring location for US trade,” according to Vlad Bilanovsky, the CEO of Wisetech Global. “By integrating Opentecnología into our global customs network we’re increasing the efficiency of the entire shipping process there and in Cargowise.”
90% of all international trade is conducted by sea
Colombia is Latin America’s fourth-largest economy, with key trading hubs in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena. Around 90% of the country’s international trade is handled by sea, with the USA, China, Brazil and Germany among its top trading partners.
Opentecnología’s current managing directors, Alex Gordillo and Sandra Guerrero, will remain in their existing executive positions. “As a part of Wisetech Global we’ll be in a position to grow our business in a way that wouldn’t have been possible if we’d remained alone,” Gordillo said, adding that “our customers will benefit from increased efficiency, and our team will gain new career opportunities.”
The Sydney-based Australian corporation has further expanded its offering of customs clearance services through this acquisition, to now cover as much as approximately 90% of global trade flows.