The UNIDO programme in Colombia "Introduction of continuous improvement practices into selected enterprises in 4 regions of Colombia" (later named in Colombia by industrialists as "Pharos programme") started in December 2001 as pilot project to verify methodology and implementation in 4 different industrial sectors. Its first phase included training of national consultants and executives from 4 key industrial regions as follows: Bogotá (leather industry), Eje Cafetero (electronics), Ibague (textile) and Barrancabermeja (metal processing). The project included training of entrepreneurs and installation of UNIDO PHAROS software to be used as managerial information tool for business performance monitoring. The development of continuous improvement practices based on using Pharos became the main project target at its second stage. 

Several workshops and meetings took place in Colombia in March 2003 within the implementation of this project exactly one year after is first phase in March 2002.  The objectives were in reviewing intermediate results of the Project and obtaining the feedback of its participants. Brief overview of the main events is presented below.