The Brazilian Agency for Promotion of Export and Investments (Apex-Brazil) will hold the Colombia Market Focus Seminar on March 29 in Porto Alegre. The aim is to present business opportunities in Colombia and the Andean region to business in Southern Brazil; the remainder of the country can also accompany the event online via a live webcast.
Colombia is the fourth largest economy in Latin America and constitutes a strategic market for Brazilian companies wishing to commence exporting or expand their overseas presence. The public security situation in the country is improving and the economy has gone through continuous and vigorous growth over the last decade. The growth forecast for 2011 is 4.9% of GDP, which should close the year at US$ 321.5 billion according to the IMF.
Trade between Brazil and Colombia reached a total of US$ 3.9 billion in 2011, with an increase of 17.36% in Brazilian exports. The value of exports has been growing steadily over the last decade, rising from US$ 515 million in 2000 to US$ 2.57 billion in 2011.
Among more than 30 Brazilian companies present in Colombia are Vale, Votorantim, Gerdau, Odebrecht, Marcopolo, EBX Group, Oi, Stefanini, Datasul, Gol, Tigris and Natura. The majority established their presence in the country in the last five years. The need for infrastructure improvements in Colombia has created an opportunity for Brazilian companies. Odebrecht has been operating in the country for 18 years.