The United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) is pleased to announce that Procolombia, the Colombian government agency in charge of promoting trade, tourism, and foreign direct investment, is an official Sourcing Supporter for 2015.
The collaboration between USFIA and Procolombia aims to increase awareness of the benefits of doing business with the Colombian sourcing industry and provide educational tools to American buyers through webinars with industry experts and Colombian vendors, showrooms, and trade missions to the country. Procolombia will join us at our major events, as well as develop a unique networking event for USFIA members and industry vendors.
Colombia has become an important player in the textile and apparel industry due to the strong ties between the two countries. This month marks the third anniversary of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, allowing over 1,908 Colombian companies to export to the United States for the first time representing a significant growth for small to medium enterprises in the country.
“The Free Trade Agreement has opened the door for new business opportunities that support economic growth in both Colombia and the United States,” said Maria Claudia Lacouture, President of Procolombia. “Colombian companies, in particular small and medium sized businesses, have established themselves in the U.S. market with innovative, high-value products and are becoming top suppliers for large retail stores.” The U.S.-Colombia FTA took effect on May 15, 2012, eliminating trade barriers and allowing billions of dollars of exports to flow between the two counties. According to entity, during 2014, non-mining exports grew by 10.85 percent with leading exports in the agricultural, manufacturing, and textile industry.
At the end of 2014, more than 320 clothing companies exported for the first time to the United States, showing industry dynamism and product diversity. Performance, active wear, swimwear, intimate apparel, woven bottoms, and knits with all types of dyes, finishes and work wear are part of the categories with the highest growth and demand during the first three years of the agreement; being the United States the main destination for Colombian clothing exports.
Overall, the U.S. market accounted for nearly 26 percent of Colombia’s total exports in 2014, resulting in US $54.8 million in sales. Since the signing of the FTA, more than 40 North American cities have purchased Colombian products, including Miami, Fla., Houston Texas, and New York, N.Y.
“We are the ideal ally for companies looking to source from a near shore location that offers flexibility, tailor made solutions and speed to market,” concluded Procolombia’s president.
Upcoming Sourcing Events in Colombia:
- International Children’s Clothing Exhibition (EIMI) in Bucaramanga on July 8-9, 2015: The largest children’s wear show in the country featuring over 150 Colombian suppliers.
- Colombiamoda 2015 in Medellin on July 28-30, 2015: The most important apparel tradeshow in Latin America showcasing renowned designers, inspiring collections, and innovative technology trends.
- IFLS (Second Version) in Bogota on July 28-31, 2015: The International Footwear and Leather Show specialized in leather apparel and accessories.
USFIA members are especially invited to participate in Colombiamoda 2015. Take advantage of Fashion Sourcing Week in Colombia, where major world-class buyers meet the main Colombian and Latina-American Vendors in all categories. The event includes:
- Over 700 national and international positioned brands that gather an extensive supply in terms of categories such as Lingerie, beachwear, casual wear, formal wear, footwear, leather goods, accessories, and home.
- Textiles 2, a specialized commercial platform for traders and manufacturers of textiles, raw materials, and full package to meet sector trade needs during the second semester of the year.
- Over 20 free conferences hosted by experts in the fashion industry, with topics such as trends, consumption, marketing, and visual merchandising.
- Opportunity to find the most well-known Colombian and Latin-American Brands at the New Business Models Pavilion Inexmoda –Más Franquicias, a space for facilitating the internationalization strategy of the brands by bringing together entrepreneurs and potential investors that take aim at fashion successful businesses under various retail formats such as franchises, joint ventures, or similar models.
All approved buyers/sourcing executives will receive complimentary airfare to the show and customized agendas to optimize their trip and meetings with top manufacturers. Click here to register for the show, and Procolombia will contact you to help organize your trip and one-on-one meetings.
For additional information about the Colombian industry or to register for any of Procolombia’s upcoming events, visit www.procolombia.co/en or contact
Sylvia Reyes, Apparel Director at
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