Colombia wants to attract $ 140 million in big business conference

There will be 1,228 buyers from 58 countries and 2,734 national entrepreneurs in Corferias.

Proexport , the agency for investment promotion, tourism and non-traditional exports , expects to close business for $ 140 million during a macro round begins thursday in Bogotá, to be attended by 1,228 buyers from 58 countries and 2,734 domestic entrepreneurs .

This high presence of guests is the result of evolution that Colombia has experienced in recent years , told Efe Proexport president , María Claudia Lacouture , who said that Matchmaking is the 50th since the first was held in 1.997 when "The United States was the only guest ."

At that time , " 200 U.S. buyers were contacted with 400 Colombians ten departments that were part of seven economic sectors , generating a near trade to U.S. $ 25 million ," said Lacouture . 

In the beginning morning in Corferias enclosure will be " 2,734 Colombian representatives of 1,956 companies and 1,228 buyers from 1,001 foreign companies," said the official.

Among large foreign firms are Coca Cola, reaching Colombia in search of folding cartons , labels, packaging, plastics and rubber , and Sony too, headhunting for game development .

Lacouture said that "60 % of buyers first-time participant in a Matchmaking Proexport , among these 14 countries as Egypt , Slovenia , Indonesia , Israel , Kenya , Senegal , India , Romania and Australia " , while 40 % of Colombians will be released in such events .

At this meeting, Proexport has set a number of key objectives.

The first " is to use the various trade agreements that Colombia has in place with the United States, Canada, Mexico , North Triangle, European Union, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to Colombian businesses thoroughly understand your chances of selling and regulation in force in those places " .

The second " diversify markets where Colombians can offer its products for exported to different nations that are already coming."

And finally , added the president of Proexport , " she regionalize their services for the benefits of exports are in the 32 departments of the country."

The goal is to " increase the export base Colombian promoting small and medium enterprises represent a greater potential of total exports ," said Lacouture .

As a novelty, this macro round will have a virtual meeting in which 50 Colombian entrepreneurs establish 180 business appointments with 18 buyers Ecuador , Spain , United States and Costa Rica .

In parallel the HLF Investment , which will include 50 potential investors , of which 16 are already installed will be held in Colombia .