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The Macro Business Matchmaking Forum, to be held in Toronto on October 27 and 28, will be one of the most important. At the event, 195 Colombian exporters and 174 Canadian buyers will have appointments seeking to do business, which will enable entrepreneurs to take advantage of the tariff benefits offered by the FTA.
The Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and Canada is the second to take effect with a developed country (after Switzerland) and a member of G8. For over three months, 98 percent of domestic products have entered, tariff free, in a demanding market with 34 million inhabitants and a per capita income five times that of Colombia.
The sale of Colombian products in Canada, besides being an opportunity for domestic companies to diversify their markets, is a challenge given the characteristics of that country' s consumers (who value quality products that are environmentally friendly, and with fair trade), its geography and its particular climate.
" The quality and value added of the products and services is one of those permanent challenges. To enter this market, it is important to prepare to meet environmental standards, for example, biodegradable packaging," said the President of PROCOLOMBIA, Marí a Claudia Lacouture.
Canada, the last of three Macro-Business Matchmaking Forums in 2011
In two months, PROCOLOMBIA planned and organized three important Macro Business Matchmaking Forums. The first two were very successful in Brazil and Mexico and the third will be held in Canada. Promoting such contacts between exporters and buyers is part of the strategy to take advantage of the FTA and the Support Plan designed by the entity to help businesses affected by heavy rains last year, the peso appreciation and non-renewal (from last February) of the ATPDEA tariff benefits with the United States.
During the two days of the macro business matchmaking forum, Canadian buyers will have a first hand look at the supply of Colombian agribusiness companies, such as palm oils and fats, sugars, syrups and sweeteners, cocoa and coffee byproducts, processed fruits, prepared foods, snacks and confectionery products and the aquaculture sector.
In manufactured articles, there will an offering in provisioning articles and equipment, auto parts, containers and packaging and building materials. Colombians will also offer leather goods, apparel, garments and services, digital content and software.
" We see business opportunities from the FTA. Canada is a specialized market, demanding and quality oriented. PROCOLOMBIA is making great efforts to bring our offering to new markets. It has been very interesting there are buyers with very good profiles for our market and production capacity," said Gustavo Marino, trade manager at Confecciones Marlston Ltda., which will have business meetings to offer lingerie, sleepwear and outerwear for women, products with ample opportunities.
Seminar to look for Canadian investors
According to the Central Bank, Canada is the eighth country in the amount of investment in Colombia (the third within the G8 countries, after the United States and the United Kingdom), with an accumulated investment of US$ 1,199 million between the years 2000 and 2010.
Therefore, these seminars are among PROCOLOMBIA' s strategies to promote investment in the country. In the case of Canada, as part of the activities in the framework of the Macro Business Matchmaking Forum on October 27, about 80 businessmen from the sectors of infrastructure, mining and energy of that country will see, thanks to the Ministry of Mines and Energy and PROCOLOMBIA, the investment opportunities Colombia has to offer.
Another event is also scheduled in Calgary (Canada) on October 28 to raise awareness of investment opportunities in the sector of goods and services for the oil industry, also in conjunction with the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Technical mission of international stature
After attending the first day of the Macro Business Matchmaking Forum, 16 exporters of services in animation and video games will be part of a technical trip, organized by PROCOLOMBIA, consisting of visits to major Canadian companies.
On the agenda, which will run from October 28 until November 1, visits include one of the studios of UBISOFT Entertainment, considered one of the biggest names in the video game industry in the world. Also attending the International Game Summit, to be held in Montreal and will offer interesting business opportunities for the software and animation industry, which in fact, is one of the sectors that has attracted much attention of Canadians.
Flowers will decorate Canada
Until October 27, 40 supermarkets from the chain Loblaws in the Province of Ontario, will offer 2x1 Colombian flower bouquets promotions. A strategy to exhibit the quality and beauty of the national flower in one of the provinces that, along with Quebec, concentrate 60 percent of the inhabitants and 60 percent of the sales in that country. An interesting market for Colombian flower growers.
Twenty six companies will explore the market.
Between October 27 and 28, 26 domestic companies in the sectors of agribusiness, manufacturing and apparel will be in Toronto to conduct a series of key visits to know how and what they must do to export their products successfully to Canada. This exploration trip is led by PROCOLOMBIA and supported by the Trade Facilitation Office Canada (TFO).
Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet with Canadian authorities like Customs, the promotion entity and the Ministry of Trade to find out how to access the Canadian market. Trips are planned on the 28th to visit the corresponding sectors to learn about the process Canadian supermarkets follow to exhibit their products.
