Cali Opens Its Doors To Trade Delegation From The US National Black Chamber of Commerce

Cali Colombia has long been recognized for its diverse business fabric; its disposition towards international markets; high levels of human capital development, attractiveness for foreign investment, an international airport; and nearby Buenaventura – the country’s main port on the Pacific Coast and primary point of entry for direct shipments from the Asia / Pacific region.

Those characteristics attracted the attention of the US National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), a trade group that bills itself as the largest black business association in the world. A delegation arrived this week from the US, the event being organized in collaboration between the Secretary of Economic Development in Cali, and Invest Pacific, the Cali and Valle del Cauca regional investment promotion agency (IPA). During their visit, NBCC expects to learn more about the economic and business potential of the region and create mutually productive bilateral connections between the entities as well as contributing to the strengthening of the city’s businesses.

“This is a business association of African Americans interested in investing in Colombia and they’ve chosen Cali for being a diverse city and with active participation of the Afro population. Furthermore, it’s been chosen for its competitive potential as a service city. From the Maurice Armitage Administration, we aim to improve the income generation and opportunities of the people of Cali and the Afro population. We will present to them all investment possibilities in different sectors from infrastructure, services, and technology, among others. And we hope these businessmen will take back with them the best image of the city region,” said Angélica Mayolo Obregón, Secretary of Economic Development in Cali.

Cali is the major city with the greatest concentration of Afro-Colombians in Colombia, with 1.1 million people; and it is the second such major city (per capita) in Latin America.

“Invest Pacific, in collaboration with Cali’s City Hall, through the Secretary of Economic Development, continue to strengthen promotional strategies and relationships between global key players and our local business fabric. The visit from these business owners affiliated to such an important chamber of commerce, represents an opportunity to explore related projects and stretch commercial bonds with the region,” added Alejandro Ossa Cárdenas, Executive Director of Invest Pacific.

NBCC is the biggest black business association in the world, established in 1993. It has more than 200 local chapters in 40 states and 50 nations. The chamber is dedicated to economically empower and sustain African American communities, through commercial and capital activity within the United States and through the interaction with the African-diaspora. Cali is the major city with the greatest concentration of Afro-Colombians in Colombia, with 1.1 million people; and it is the second such major city (per capita) in Latin America.

Harry C. Alford, president, and CEO of the NBCC stated, “The NBCC has been working diligently for over 10 years to bring our businesses and resources to Colombia.  Our goal is to work with the federal, state, municipal, and territorial interests of the public, private, and civil society. The NBCC has signed MOUs (Memorandum of Understandings) with the City of Cali, Comfandi, The University of Santiago de Cali, and the City of Quibdo. The purpose is to increase opportunities for small businesses, and industries of Cali and the Pacific coastal areas with members and affiliates of the NBCC throughout the diaspora; to work together to reduce the barriers of trade and investment, demonstration of social responsibility, job creation for economic empowerment”

Other North American business owners interested in connecting with Cali businesses related to bio-energy, bio-business, and construction are also participating as they seek to create relationships and increase the possibilities of a commercial network between Cali business owners and the NBCC. Businesspeople or interested individuals who wish to learn more about investment opportunities may contact Ana Milena Saavedra at Invest Pacific or the NBCC.