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As 2012 comes to a close, the figures for Colombian entrepreneurs reveal their potential abroad: 9,391 business opportunities identified by PROCOLOMBIA, translated into business transactions between 3,317 buyers from 86 countries and 1,533 exporters.
This scenario was also reflected in market diversification. "Colombian mangos are now being exported to Japan, organic papaya to the Netherlands, mobile apps to Finland, underwear and bathing suits to the Middle East, polyethylene to the United States, and jewelry to Chile", explained PROCOLOMBIA president María Claudia Lacouture. "These are just some examples of how Colombian entrepreneurs were able to find new destinations for their products and services this year", she added.
Various actions and efforts made market diversification possible. One such effort was the participation of Colombian companies in international fairs: in all, Colombia participated in 57 events, including IEEE (United States), Fine Food (India), Fruit Logistica (Germany), and Intermoda (Mexico).
"You need expert advice, and PROCOLOMBIA is the best for that", said Giorgio Araújo of Comexa, a company that manufactures hot sauces, juices and dehydrated products, with exports to 24 countries. "You have to participate in international fairs, and if you decide to go, you must do it every year. The key in the international market is to generate trust and make friends".
Foreign buyers visiting the country was also significant. A total of 2,686 participants were invited to fairs such as Colombiamoda, Expocamacol, Plataforma K and Softic.
Italian businessman Maurizio Malasomma was one of them. In Expoartesanías he said: "When a buyer comes to Colombia and gets the care given by PROCOLOMBIA, he feels at home. They make everything easier, they are organized and precise, which favors business deals".
Additionally, PROCOLOMBIA led five business roundtables in the United States, Ecuador and Colombia, with 1,175 Colombian entrepreneurs and 1,005 foreign buyers, which empowered business expectations of almost US$400 million, after completing 9,500 business meetings.
Preparation and knowledge of the markets
Knowledge of the markets was another key aspect throughout this year. With that in mind, PROCOLOMBIA organized 16 seminars in 29 departments in the country, with 12,500 participants in attendance.
Business opportunities and how to best take advantage of them, including access conditions, logistical requirements and information, were the main topics covered at these events.
Also along in line with developing market knowledge, PROCOLOMBIA carried out 17 market exploration missions in which Colombian entrepreneurs learned directly about distribution channels, talked with experts, saw how products are displayed, ratified their potential, and gained relevant information to customize their supply to meet international demand.
In addition, the 27 PROCOLOMBIA information centers in the country served 12,055 users who approached them to learn more about foreign trade. They received 21,873 calls through the contact center, and trained 15,417 people through the export training program.
Taking advantage of the Free Trade Agreements
The United States, EFTA (Switzerland and Liechtenstein), Canada and Mexico. These were the four markets in which PROCOLOMBIA focused its efforts during 2012 in order to take advantage of the current free trade agreements.
In the case of the United States, the entity organized 45 events with 3,083 export entrepreneurs in attendance. Additionally, 7,778 people from 24 departments participated in seminars to disseminate information about opportunities in Colombia, and 354 American entrepreneurs were invited to national events.
After the FTA was approved, this helped to begin exports of 246 new products, and 365 companies exported to the United States for the first time, according to information provided by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, with data from DANE and PROCOLOMBIA calculations.
The Canadian case was also significant. During the year, 124 products were exported which had not been exported in the past.
Among the year's activities, PROCOLOMBIA held four seminars to disseminate information in 12 departments, with over 1,000 participants 19 companies participated in two exploratory missions in the agribusiness sector 40 buyers from Canada took part in national fairs such as Colombiatex, IFLS, Plataforma K, Colombiamoda and Expocamacol a flower show was sponsored in Toronto with 14 Colombian companies nine Colombian companies went to SIAL Montreal and 23 Canadian buyers were invited to the Agribusiness Roundtable in Bogotá.
For the EFTA market, PROCOLOMBIA performed six market studies (software and BPO, processed foods, the textile industry, organic fruits and vegetables, and natural ingredients for the cosmetic industry). Five experts provided technical assistance in different sectors, and PROCOLOMBIA hosted an opportunities seminar. To date, 81 new products have been exported.
With regard to Mexico, 105 companies participated in six fairs which are held every year in the Aztec country 68 buyers from Mexico took part in national events like Colombiatex, IFLS and Plataforma K and 152 entrepreneurs from five departments attended an opportunities seminar.
