ProColombia Hosting Macrorrueda 60: International Business Matchmaking Forum At Corferias In March

Macrorrueda 60, the Colombian Business Matchmaking Forum, sponsored by ProColombia will take place March 17-18, 2016 at the Corferias conference center in Bogotá. The event aims to introduce 2,000 Colombian suppliers with more than 1000 international buyers. During this 2-day event, buyers are presented with a tailored agenda where they meet in up to 18 meetings in a one-to-one business setting with qualified Colombian suppliers.

The event will bring together important Colombian suppliers from the textile and apparel, agribusiness, manufacturing, and services industries showcasing a wide range of products such as IT services, BPO, health services, animation services, manufactured products such as cosmetics made with natural ingredients, construction materials, wood and furniture, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, confectionery, culinary ingredients (sauces, colorings, condiments, flavorings and seasonings), fresh and processed fruits, vegetables and aromatic herbs, textiles, apparel & accessories, and auto parts.

“More than a business matchmaking event, this is a contribution to the expansion of our export network. It helps our national industry grow and expand to new areas as well as give the American businesses an opportunity to explore and acquire our high-quality products manufactured with the highest innovation and attention to detail” said ProColombia President Maria Claudia Lacouture.

From January to November 2015, Colombia registered 2,116 companies exporting to the US – the largest number in the trade history between the two countries – mainly driven by the manufacturing and agribusiness industries accessing though the U.S. east coastal ports in Florida, New York and Texas. The Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Colombia has been pivotal to the diversification of products and companies accessing the American market. Following the FTA in 2012, Colombia has exported upwards of 434 new products to the US, featuring infant formula, natural cosmetics, dog toys, underwear, shapewear (fajas, girdles), hydraulic powered lifts, and textiles manufactured with plastic from recycled bottles; among many others.

In 2016, the Colombian government has indicated its intent to focus on strengthening its growth of non-traditional products setting an expansion goal of 19.3% versus 2015. ProColombia is promoting virtual meetings to promote communication between companies and buyers to facilitate reliable trade information to US business and enable them to connect effectively with Colombian suppliers.

ProColombia, the Colombian Government Trade Bureau has played a fundamental role promoting exports from Colombia to the United States generating an increase of 3.7% since 2010 of non-traditional products. Colombia has revamped its image and today it represents one of the most stable economies in Latin America growing 4.4% annually (2010-2015).