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The III Business Matchmaking Forum on Construction Materials ended in Panama with business expectations in the amount of US$15,224,000, with the participation of 34 Colombian exporters from the sector, along with 46 Panamanian companies and eight from El Salvador, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
The Sheraton Hotel in Panama City, where the business matchmaking forum was held, witnessed 301 appointments between the participants, where the products on highest demand were stainless steel kitchens, aluminum and PVC structures, wooden doors, blinds, stone wool, kitchen furniture, translucent roof tiles, and thermal isolation.
Under the organization of PROCOLOMBIA and the Colombian Embassy to Panama, the event was intended to provide Colombian producers with a venue to harness the business opportunities offered by the Central American countries.
" This was a great opportunity to do business. The event filled everyone' s expectations" , said William Riaño of Exotic Forest Company, a company dedicated to exporting solid-wood flooring.
In turn, Maria Alexandra Cardona de Azembla, an exporter of windows and construction systems, said her participation " helped her strengthen business relations and hold specific appointments with business-people interested in the offering. Furthermore, I was able to explore and find new opportunities with others I did not know."
By region, participation was led by exporters from Cundinamarca, with 12 companies followed by Atlántico (7) Antioquia (7) Valle del Cauca (4) and the provincial departments of Caldas, Santander, Norte de Santander and Risaralda, each with one participant.
On the other hand, the buyers highlighted the " contemporary design in Colombian products, as well as the high-quality finishings and competitive prices" , said Germán Castillo, International Procurement Officer for Metales Panamericanos.
Central Americans also highlighted the closeness with Colombia as a positive aspect to be taken into account when making the decision to do business, as it allows " closer, more fluid and direct communication, in addition to eliminating the need to maintain large inventories in the warehouses."
According to the information issued by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, and Dane reports, Colombian exports in the field of construction materials in 2011 added up to US$342.5 million, which represented a growth of 10.2% compared to 2010.
The main destinations were Venezuela (US$67.7 million) Ecuador (US$53.8 million) the United States (US$53 million) Panama (US$43.3 million) and Peru (US$17.2 million).
Business Opportunities in the Americas
The business opportunities identified by PROCOLOMBIA are mainly focused in countries in the American continent.
Panama, for instance, and due to hotel, building and shopping mall development projects, requires products like piping, wash basins, tile and ceramic slabs.
In Canada, there is a demand for cement, sand, gravel and aggregates and, in the United States, lining with high added value.
Export possibilities to Puerto Rico are for products like exterior, solid wood doors in varieties like cedar, mahogany or eucalyptus and to Costa Rica, materials for new hotel and office development projects.
From South American countries, Peru offers the largest business opportunities with construction materials and finishings.
