Barranquilla’s Entrepreneurs were satisfied by the Encounter with PROCOLOMBIA

The Corporate Encounter arranged by PROCOLOMBIA in Barranquilla ended successfully, with the participation of 130 exporters and business people from the tourism sector, 15 executive directors from established investment companies and the regional authorities.

The meetings with each sector helped divulge PROCOLOMBIA’s activities for the promotion and internationalization of the region through the diversification of the markets and innovation, particularly around the entity’s plan for the 2011-2014 term.

"We leave Barranquilla very satisfied about having strengthened our ties with the Caribbean region’s entrepreneurs and investors. Our dialogue was very productive and we heard about the main needs and suggested alternatives to these business people", said the President of PROCOLOMBIA, Maria Claudia Lacouture.

Eduardo Verano de la Rosa, Governor of Atlantico, was also present during the meeting, as was the President of the Barranquilla Chamber of Commerce, Luis Fernando Castro.

The overall balance for the attending entrepreneurs and investors at the Hotel Dann was positive. “It is very important for us as exporters to know PROCOLOMBIA's plans during this new year, and to know how they can support us in increasing our exports", said business man, Ciro Sanchez’

On the other hand, Barranquilla local exporter, Gustavo Vega, highlighted that "PROCOLOMBIA has been instrumental to us as entrepreneurs.  This type of events gives us an idea where to point our business targets, our business and our new opportunities", said Vega. “As a piece of advice to the exporters who are just starting, I have to say: use PROCOLOMBIA and the services it has to offer”, he added.

The business people who are new to the exportation activity also had a voiced opinion: “Typically, those of us who are just starting think this is easy and fast, but it’s not. We need to be hand in hand with a good advisor like PROCOLOMBIA”, said Edelyn Giraldo.

One of the investors who participated in the meeting was Enrique Villa, owner of a Call-Center company in Barranquilla. “We invested in Colombia, considering the high level of human resources, competitive salaries and substantial improvements accomplished around security in the country”, he stated.

Ruben La Fuente, manager of a document management company, said that “for those of us dedicated to the Information and Communications Technology sector, there are many qualified people in the country, which enable us to have a very competitive work team and create the possibility for us to establish alliances with other companies.”

Corporate Encounters will continue March 30th in Cali, April 5th in Medellin and April 6th in Pereira.