EXPORTING TO COLOMBIA: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Colombia, the heart of South America’s Coffee Belt, is a significant export opportunity given its internal consumption and current infrastructure.

Rosario Traducciones continues its virtual rounds through the world to learn more about the features and characteristics of international markets. This month we travel to Colombia, one of the most important growing economies in Latin America, particularly in mining and tourism. As the heart of South America’s Coffee Belt, Colombia is a great export opportunity given its internal consumption and current infraestructure. In this article, we share some highlights on how to establish business relations with this country.

1) Kind and friendly
Colombians are well known for their friendliness and kindness. Being a good host and entertaining guests are traditions that speak volumes about Colombians’ hospitality. Gathering with friends and family for a good traditional meal, music, and cocktails are in their DNA.

Colombians make friends easily and create deep bonds. Yet, regardless of how much or how little they can offer, their affection and generosity never fail.

2) Biodiversity

Columbia’s natural resources are reflected in surprising statistics. At the heart of South America's Coffee Belt, the trees grow three times faster than in Chile and nine times faster than in Canada. Although Colombia is seven times smaller than Brazil, both countries have almost the same number of plant species (55,000 altogether), representing 20% of all plant species on Earth. Columbia also houses 1,815 bird species, making it the country with the most bird diversity in the world.

3) Multiplicity of languages

Although Spanish is the official and most widely used language, more than 60 indigenous and Creole languages are spoken in the country. The exact number has been a point of contention, as some experts do not consider them all as different languages but rather varieties or dialects of the same language. However, most agree that there are 66 indigenous languages, isolated or grouped into more than 20 phylogenies or family trees, spoken by nearly half a million indigenous people. According to Ethnologue, Colombia has 100 languages, of which 80 are living languages and 20 are extinct.

4) Catholic celebrations

Although Colombia’s constitution declares the country as secular, Colombians are Catholic, and many of their holidays are based on this creed. Día de las Velitas (candle day) is a celebration in which candles are lit up to honor the Immaculate Conception. Festivities start December 7th at 7 p.m. and finish December 8th at midnight. During this time, candles and lanterns are lit in neighborhoods, parks, and streets. People gather on the streets and participate in group prayers.

Christmas is the most anticipated time of the year, and from December 1st, all the houses, offices, buildings, parks, shopping malls, even airports get decorated and Nativity scenes assembled.

5) Social etiquette

Business protocols call for Colombians to greet both men and women with a handshake. They typically extend the handshake first to the person with the highest rank in the company. A woman should not be greeted with a kiss on her cheek unless she is an acquaintance.

University degrees and credentials matter in business. Therefore, greeting people by degrees or title followed by their last name is recommended. When meeting someone for the first time, formal address (usted) is preferred to informal (tú).

Colombians are very friendly and fond of gifting. Best gift ideas are tokens of appreciation that represent the country or company. Gifts should not be ostentatious. Typically, all members of a party receive a gift. If you think of gifting flowers, it is best to avoid carnations or gladiolus as they are associated with death.