Industry
From The Report: Colombia 2013
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Weaker international demand and increasing foreign competition have caused the output of the industry sector to fall 0.7% in 2012, limiting its contribution to GDP to 12%. Traditional industries as well as the manufacturing of vehicle parts and their assembly have been hit the hardest. Nonetheless, some segments, such as fast-moving consumer goods, continue to display potential. Colombia’s shift in industrial focus from primary products to added value has also seen the development of niche segments such as cocoa products. Government initiatives such as the Stimulus Plan for Production and Employment and the Productive Transformative Programme, should help boost sector growth in the near future.
This chapter contains an interview with María Claudia Lacouture, President, Proexport.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Getting back on track: Aggressive government programmes stimulate activity
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Since the 1990s Colombia’s strong push for economic growth has substantially contributed to development via exchanges with key international markets. However, this has also put many local industries in a position where they compete with international giants that often have more experience, economic advantages and occasionally unfair export practices. Over time a combination of these factors has taken a toll on national production. Along with lowered international demand from an almost global…

Analysis

From the farm to the table: More acreage and free trade agreements set to boost cocoa industry
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While cocoa is produced en masse in Africa and Asia, plantations in Colombia compete by yielding fine aroma beans, which make up 5% of the global market, according to the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO). Processing is primarily divided between Nutresa, formerly the Compañía Nacional de Chocolate, and CasaLuker. Nestlé Colombia also produces chocolate but is less involved with cocoa cultivation. Even given the domination of the market by a few players, growth means there are opportunities…

Analysis

Articulating approaches: Public-private entity enhances industrial output
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Amid a general economic slowdown, the government has applied several strategies to tackle key industrial deficiencies and strengthen productive practices. Aside from the major stimulus package announced in April 2013 to inject resources into industrial activities, a permanent initiative using less conventional tactics has been operating successfully since 2008, known as the Productive Transformation Programme (Programa de Transformación Productiva, PTP). Under the purview of the Ministry…

Interview

Trade opportunities: OBG talks to María Claudia Lacouture, President, Proexport
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Interview: María Claudia Lacouture Which export products will benefit most from a stronger trade relationship with Asia? MARIA CLAUDIA LACOUTURE: In South Korea we see opportunities for metallurgy and coffee derivatives. Additionally, Colombia expects to enter this market with meats, dairy products, baked and flour-milling products, coffee derivatives, flowers, sugar, fruits, and vegetables. A preliminary analysis conducted by Proexport also suggested opportunities in apparels, including underwear…

Analysis

Flexible and resistant: Petrochemicals show much potential with a growing plastics industry
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By far the most popular sectors for foreign direct investment in 2012, oil and mining have seen a number of successful business ventures, contributing significantly to the country’s overall economic development. This has boosted the potential for an array of other industries further downstream, such as petrochemicals, which provides a very promising outlook in the near future due to major expansion projects and heightened local and international demand. OIL ORIGINS: Partially state-owned…