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After two days and 4,500 meetings sustained, the Business Matchmaking organized by PROCOLOMBIA in New York created expectations of more than US$95 million.
The event, which included the participation of nearly 600 Colombian exporters and almost 400 buyers from the United States, took place at Chelsea&rsquo s Pier 60 in Manhattan, as one of the activities in the agenda of the Colombian Week in New York, the purpose of which was to promote the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that will be signed between the two countries.
" This was quite an interesting experience and the entry into force of the FTA truly demonstrates that this Agreement will generate more jobs and benefits for the country&rdquo , indicated Marí a Claudia Lacouture, President of PROCOLOMBIA Colombia.
The business meeting time scheduled was 40 minutes, which was the time used by each exporter to offer his product and to learn more about the market demands.
For the agro-industrial sector, for instance, buyers noticed the importance of " being aware of the labeling regulations and norms to get to the market&rdquo . The clothing manufacturers indicated that the " clothing added value is fundamental. Details really attract clients, both men and women, because they actually set the difference. Innovation is always important&rdquo .
In total, 18 Colombian provincial departments participated: Antioquia, Atlá ntico, Bolí var, Boyacá , Caldas, Cauca, Có rdoba, Cundinamarca, Huila, Magdalena, Nariñ o, Norte de Santander, Quindí o, Risaralda, Santander, Sucre, Tolima and Valle del Cauca.
On the other hand, US participants were from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Nueva Jersey, Nueva York, North and South Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. Significant participation was also reported from Puerto Rican buyers.
Buyers highlighted that the quality, innovation and competitive prices of Colombian products, as well as the proximity of Colombia to the United States is actually positive in terms of delivery times.
During the Colombian Week in New York, PROCOLOMBIA carried out other promotion activities, such as the textile-clothing sector " showcase&rdquo a tourism seminar with 142 US companies and 49 Colombian entrepreneurs commercial agendas activation of Colombian food products at supermarkets and an exploratory mission of 80 small and medium-sized companies from 17 provincial departments to learn more about the market.
" This has been quite an enriching experience for all, as it has allowed Colombian entrepreneurs to learn and validate their products in the US market. They now have the tools they need to adapt and improve their products to meet the needs of US consumers&rdquo , concluded Marí a Claudia Lacouture, President of PROCOLOMBIA Colombia.
