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Through diversification and innovation the Colombian Caribbean in general and the provincial department of Atlantico will gain more relevance in the international markets, as stated today in Barranquilla by the President of PROCOLOMBIA, Maria Claudia Lacouture.
The high official met with one hundred entrepreneurs and corporate leaders to propitiate open dialogue and to strengthen activity in the public and private sectors in their common goal to increase exports, foreign investment and international tourism.
According to the PROCOLOMBIA report, out of the 186 companies participating in activities promoted by the entity in 2009, 70 percent are from Atlantico, 19 percent from Bolivar, 3 percent from Magdalena and 3 percent from Cordoba and Sucre.
In 2010, out of 254 companies served by PROCOLOMBIA, 64 percent were from Atlantico, 22 percent from Bolivar, 11 percent from Magdalena and three percent from Sucre.
So far in 2011, 61 companies have participated in PROCOLOMBIA activities. Out of that number, 77 percent are from Atlantico, 13 percent from Bolivar, 7 percent from Magdalena and 3 percent from Sucre.
This is due to the fact that the region&rsquo s entrepreneurs have found a strategic ally in PROCOLOMBIA for the international markets. Also, this is due to the easy access to updated value-added information on the latest trends and opportunities exporters have in the various economies in the world.
This has reflected upon the region&rsquo s exports and development, promoted by new business opportunities. PROCOLOMBIA has seen possibilities in the province of Atlantico for the sectors of textiles, metallurgy, rawhide and processed leather and corrugated cardboard.
According to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Atlantico&rsquo s exports in 2010 were US$1,050 million dollars. Metallurgy was the subsector with the largest growth between 2009 and 2010, moving from US$88 million to US$174 million with a 96.9% variation, followed by the clothing sector with a variation of 79.8%.
On the other hand, direct foreign investment in Atlantico had a nationwide participation of 1.1%, which represented US$15.9% million dollars between 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, according to a report from Banco de la Republica, which is very revealing about the fact that there is a lot to do in that field.
In tourism, Atlantico has registered more foreign visits than ever, and is ranked fifth in the national list of tourist destinations. In 2009 there were 51,866 international visitors, while in 2010 there were 54,030 according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism&rsquo s statistics.
