(Kristine Adams is our intern this summer at the Office of International Commerce and we’re taking full advantage of her expertise; she has a dual major in international relations and Spanish, with a minor in politics, at St. Anselm College, where she’ll be a senior. Working with US Commercial Service, she’s helping to coordinate our trade mission to Colombia. – Ed.)
¡Buenos días, empresas de Nueva Hampshire!
With its fast growing economy and free trade agreements in place, Colombia is market rich in opportunity that New Hampshire businesses should explore by joining the Office of International Commerce on a trade mission to Colombia, Oct. 19-21.
This mission offers New Hampshire businesses an introduction to this South American country.
Why join a trade mission? It’s typically a government-supported business development program where participants considering international expansion meet directly with potential customers and partners in a foreign market. Our goal is to introduce New Hampshire businesses to those in Colombia through the combined networks of the OIC, US Commercial Service and the US Embassy.
Value-added services, like group transportation, a country briefing with the U.S. Embassy, personalized translation for your business meetings and a networking reception with the U.S. ambassador, are also included.
Why Colombia? Many OIC clients have expressed interest in expanding to Latin America and Colombia has market needs that align with the goods and services New Hampshire businesses produce. Some of these target markets include (but are not limited to): aerospace and defense; education; electric power and renewable energy; food processing equipment; IT; infrastructure; medical equipment; processed food and beverages, and travel and tourism.
Economic indicators in Colombia are strong. With political stability, continued growth and moderate inflation, the Colombian economy is the fourth largest in Latin America and boasts major commercial and investment ties to the rest of the world. With the implementation of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement in 2012, Colombia has become the third largest market for U.S. exports in Latin America. Last year, New Hampshire businesses exported $30,409,307 worth of goods there.
Why use the AmCham? In addition to the support of the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, the American Chamber of Commerce of Colombia, a non-profit organization with over 1,000 affiliated Colombian companies, will provide supplementary services to New Hampshire businesses and coordinate high value appointments with potential partners and customers outside of Bogotá. Collectively, its offices in Bogotá, Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena and Medellin have over 60 years of experience in stimulating trade and investment between the US and Colombia.
Not sure if your business has what Colombia needs? The OIC can arrange for a conference call with the U.S. Embassy and the AmCham to discuss your market potential – at no cost to you.
For more information on the Trade Mission to Colombia and how to join us, contact Tina Kasim, OIC program manager OIC or Justin Oslowski at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
¡Nos vemos en Bogotá!
Kristine Adams
Intern
Office of International Commerce