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Steel products, plastic pipes, heaters, coatings and formwork were some of the most demanded products during the Business Round made by PROCOLOMBIA and the Chamber of Commerce of Bogotá during Expo-construction and Expo-design in Corferias.
The event gathered 362 Colombian exporters and 171 international buyers from 21 countries, who highlighted the success of the Round. " For one year, we tried to setup a meeting with an ironworker in Dutch Antilles, and it was impossible. He registered here, and we already have businesses underway with him&rdquo , affirmed David Mé ndez from Venezuela.
On the other hand, Orazio Viro, from Dominican Republic, highlighted the event organization. " It is not common to have this type of fairs in Latin America. I have attended various international events in Europe or China, which are quite large and well organized, and this is the closest thing in our continent&rdquo .
The same opinion was given by Mauricio Wilde from Bolivia. " Very positive balance there are first level Colombian companies which can stand alongside the best in the world. We are sure that we will initiate a commercial flow with Colombia in the long term&rdquo .
They also commended Colombian products. " We mainly came looking for novel, top quality products, and Colombia is well known for that&rdquo , affirmed Gustavo Tenorio, Mexican Entrepreneur.
" We basically came to Colombia because we&rsquo ve had a commercial relation for years, and we know that there are excellent construction materials in Colombia, at competitive prices&rdquo , added Anthony Walker, from Jamaica.
Buyers from Ecuador (36), Dominican Republic (22) and Trinidad and Tobago (22) led the international presence, but we also had participants from Guatemala (15), United States (14), Puerto Rico (13), Panama (9), Chile (8), Peru (8), Jamaica (6), Mexico (6), Guyana (5), Venezuela (5), Aruba (5), Costa Rica (5), Dutch Antilles (5), and two from Barbados, Bolivia, Dominica, Honduras and Suriname.
Colombia, strong in construction materials
Construction material exports amounted to US$258 million in 2010, based on the figures issued by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism. The total manufacture was US$6.4 billion last year.
The four products mostly exported in the country include ceramic, clay and stone (47.7%), plastic and rubber (17.4%), cement (8.5%), and aluminum (8.5%).
From January to October 2010, Venezuela and United States led the list. However, countries like Panama, Ecuador and Peru have reported an increased growth.
