The U.S. — Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) takes effect today, May 15, 2012.

Starting today, 80% of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products will enter the Colombian market duty free, eliminating tariffs that range on average from 7-15%. Under the CTPA, 70% of agricultural exports will enter duty-free with the remaining tariffs to be eliminated over 15 years. The CTPA also gives U.S. service providers new access to Colombia's $166 million services market, including logistics, telecommunications, education and health care. 

Why Should Your Company Consider Exporting?

• Growth strategy in line with actual demographics: 
  • 2/3 of the world's purchasing power and 95% of all consumers live outside the United States;
  • Exporting companies grow 2.4 times faster than non-exporting companies;
• Your competition is doing it: 
  • The United States exports only 1% of its manufactured goods (last in the world);
  • Germany exports 65%;
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) successfully compete in foreign markets:
  • Wisconsin has the most manufacturing SMEs in the United States – SEMEs are companies with fewer than 500 employees;
  • SMEs make up 87% of the exporting firms in Wisconsin;
• Increasing exports = more jobs here at home.

Why Export to Colombia?

• Timing: 
  • Colombia is an emerging market; competition is not yet fierce;
  • Your European competitors do not have a trade agreement with Colombia but will soon;
• Market: 
  • Rapidly-growing market of $45 million consumers;
  • Third largest economy in South America;
  • Affinity for U.S. goods, quality products;
• Location:
  • Strategic gateway to South America;
  • Easy shipping: Ports on both the Caribbean and Pacific;
  • Same business hours:  Central Standard Time;
  • Two and half hour flight from Miami to Bogotá.