Colombian matchmaking event boosts exports of auto parts

UNIDO, through the project “Sustainable and inclusive industrial development of the automotive supply chain in Colombia through enhanced quality and productivity”, supported the National Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ProColombia) in the organization of the 2019 National Business Networking and Matchmaking Event for the Mobility Industry, which took place on 24-25 October in Cali.

In this event, more than 700 business-to-business meetings took place between 48 potential foreign buyers and 72 local companies. Out of 81 respondents surveyed, 19% reported that they had concluded business deals for a total value of over US$570,000. In addition to the purchase agreements already reached, 96% of the participants stated that new contacts made are very likely to lead to future purchases/sales agreements worth more than US$10 million (an 80% increase compared to last year’s event). In addition to purchase agreements, 81% of the respondents indicated that the meetings were likely to lead to concrete joint ventures or other types of partnerships in the future.

This event also served to launch a newly developed catalogue that displays the capacities of 8 vehicle assemblers and 102 auto parts producers operating in Colombia.

The project is a collaboration between UNIDO, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia (MINCIT), and the “Colombia Productiva” programme. It also serves as a good example of how the different divisions within TII (BCI, STF and INV) can come together and provide a comprehensive support package for a highly advanced and specialized industrial sector. Furthermore, for the matchmaking event, UNIDO’s field offices in Brazil and Mexico actively supported the project by mobilizing international buyers.

Download the catalogues in English and Spanish.

Click here to read the related press release.

For more information on the project, please contact:

Mr. Fabio Russo: F.Russo [at] unido.org (F[dot]Russo[at]unido[dot]org)

Mr. Juan Pablo Diaz Castillo: J.Diaz-Castillo [at] unido.org (J[dot]Diaz-Castillo[at]unido[dot]org)

Mr. Stefan Kratzsch: S.Kratzsch [at] unido.org (S[dot]Kratzsch[at]unido[dot]org)