ProExport Colombia
The Challenge
For years, Colombia made headlines with stories about corruption that plagued the country’s government and earned the nation a tarnished reputation as a guerilla war zone and haven for drug lords. But the country has enjoyed strong political stability in recent years, resulting in a significant improvement in its economy and internal security.
Between 2002 and 2008, Colombia saw an increase of 400% in foreign direct investment. During this same period, the number of foreign visitors arriving in the country more than doubled from 1.1 million to 2.5 million. In an effort to increase investment, international tourism and exports, ProExport Colombia was formed to help spread the word to consumers and potential investors that Colombia is one of the world’s top emerging markets and will continue to be an attractive global destination for business and travel.
The Results
- Over a period of two years, DCI arranged more than 60 meetings and teleconferences with high-level executives during trade missions and at several trade shows in New York, Texas, California and Chicago.
- DCI landed a series of major stories about Colombia in Newsweek, The Huffington Post, Slate.com and Bloomberg Television that reported on recent successes in the country’s emerging economy.
- Increased inquiries and leads, which have resulted in direct contact with Proexport Colombia for Colombian services and products, including two inquiries surrounding Colombian papayas, an agricultural product only recently allowed to be exported to the United States.
