ChamberNews

ISSUE
TRADE Barranquilla and to the 3rd Colombia Oil and Gas
MISSION Summit and Exhibition 2013- Cartagena
The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce organized a
trade mission to Barranquilla and Cartagena. The participants
in the trade mission had one-on-one meetings with companies
of their interest in Barranquilla, visited the port of Palermo, (a
cluster for oil and gas services), and where invited by
Barranquilla’s Mayor, Elsa Noguera de la Espriella, to join the
bicentennial celebration.
April
2013
ChamberNews
Editorial
Our First Year
Past Events
An independent
non-profit organization,
established with the
purpose of promoting
trade and investment
between Colombia and
the State of Texas.
Chambers of Commerce Best Practices Forum
www.colombiatexaschamber.com
713.489.8800
INFORMATION
Mission
April 6 - 12, 2013
Francesca Bacci, Business
Development Manager, Italy- America
Chamber of Commerce of Texas,
Leondria R. Thompson, President,
Tri-County Black Chamber of
Commerce, Jagdip Ahluwalia, executive
Director, Indo-American Chamber of
Commerce of Greater Houston,
Christine Buzzard, Executive Director,
U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce,
Daria Westerfield, Membership Director,
U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce,
06
In This Issue
The Trade mission then left to Cartagena, to participate in the
Expo Oil and Gas Summit and Exhibition 2013. Guests had
the opportunity to attend VIP events, networking coffees and
lunch events, conferences, forums, and also had one on one
business meetings with companies of their interest.
For the first time since its formation,
CTCC invited other international trading
chambers and organizations to share
and discuss their experiences and best
practices.
MONTHLY
JOURNAL OF
and Claudia Rojas, Executive Director,
Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce,
where part of the panel, Their
participation was instrumental for the
other attendees to learn firsthand
regarding the best practices,
experiences and tools the chambers
have.
The CTCC invited AAG to present their
Matchup speed networking and the
mobile meeting application and
Chamber Nation, as well as to present
their Membership development system.
BBVA presented their Program for not
profit organizations.
April 17, 2013
Graphic Design by:
Catalina Duque 832.6914664
cd@solutionscreation.com
The Colombia-Texas
Chamber of Commerce
facilitates American and
Colombian companies
to expand their business
in Colombia and Texas.
The Chamber
accomplishes this by
providing access to
specialized market
research, identifying
business leads and
reliable business
partners. The Chamber
also provides access to
high level business and
governmental decision
makers.
The chamber is a forum
for the exchange on
information related to
Colombia and Texas
and promotes and
serves as a conduit for
fostering of commercial
and cultural ties.
The chamber supports
social progress in
Colombia through
partnership with
recognized charitable
institutions and
programs.
Our First Year:
B
Times flies when you
believe in and you love
what you are doing.
y this time last year, the beginning of the Free Trade Agreement between the US and Colombia
had been announced to begin as of May 15th, 2012. After years of negotiations, the green light was
finally given to formalize a commercial partnership that already was beneficial for the Colombian
exporters due to other agreements, like the APDEA, The newly implemented Free Trade Agreement
would take this measure and expand the opportunity to the US exporters, enabling them to be
competitive in a country with an attractive market size, a growing economy and a US-friendly
environment. Such a combination was not easy to find in Latin America a year ago, or even today. For
Texas, Colombia was even more attractive because in recent years it had began a transformation to
become an oil and gas producing country, something that historically had never been a possibility.
With this in mind, we announced the formation of the Colombia-Texas Chamber of Commerce in
Houston, TX, during OTC 2012. The over-arching goal of the Chamber has been to assist both
Texas-based and Colombian companies to expand their business in the two regions and beyond. The
Chamber facilitates access by providing specialized market research, identifying business leads and
reliable business partners, and provides access to high level business and governmental decision
makers. The chamber also provides a forum for the exchange of information and policy issues related
to Colombia and Texas trade and investment. It also supports and serves as a conduct for fostering of
commercial and cultural ties.
With Houston’s internationally recognised status as the oil and energy capital of the US and the
U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement finally operational, Houston is ideally positioned to play a
central role in expanding U.S. trade and investment into Colombia. According to the Greater Houston
Partnership (GHP), Houston already currently serves as Colombia’s largest gateway for international
trade. Annual trade between Houston and Colombia increased 8.5 percent within a year, up from $9.6
billion in November 2011 to $10.4 billion in November 2012. Colombia runs as Houston’s sixth
international partner.
It is not just bilateral trade that is growing. Foreign direct investment, particularly in the resource
sector, is expanding greatly as well. Foreign direct investment into Colombia grew from $13.5 billions
in 2011 to $15.8 billions in 2012. More than 54% of those funds were invested in further developing
oil and mining initiatives.
Special
Thanks to:
Our First Year: Times flies when you believe in and you love
what you are doing.
Due to new royalty law, accompanied by the new private and public association law, in conjunction
with the FTA, the possibilities for the US companies to participate in projects in Colombia driven
by the five pillars for the development established by the government (Agro-industry, oil and
mining, housing, technology and innovation and infrastructure) are worth of consideration.
Currently in Colombia more money is available than there are projects to execute. Actually, only
30% of the budget from the royalties have been awarded to date.
Since we launched the Chamber a year ago, as you can see in the insert included in this newsletter
issue, we have executed numerous events to promote our mission statement. We are always seeking
to communicate our potential investments and business opportunities in Colombia, by featuring top
quality presenters and always exceeding our attendance expectations. Along with the events, we
have taken two trade missions to Colombia and we have received two trade missions from
Colombia. We started a professional development program in collaboration with the Colombian
Consulate, the Greater Houston partnership and Ecopetrol-America.
One of our main events this year, is the Offshore Colombia Forum, that will include speakers and
panels of experts from the energy field in the U.S. and in Colombia, discussing the best practices
from the Gulf of Mexico that can be applied in the Colombia Offshore in two main subjects:
Regulation and Supply Chain.
On another note, I am very pleased to report that Ecopetrol Colombia has chosen the Colombia
Texas Chamber of Commerce, as its supplier relationship development partner in the US. The
collaboration agreement has three components: Events (we are organizing an International Supplier
Meeting in Houston for them, taking place on May 10th), Technology Transferring, and strategic
alliances with US companies. We also conducted, a Human Talent recruiting event in Houston for
Ecopetrol Colombia in March.
We invite you to be a part of this dynamic Chamber by joining at one of our many membership
levels.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our current members, for their trust and
support; our board of directors; the industry sectors directors and the chamber’s staff for the
unrelenting energy and hard work they have put in to make this first year of the chamber an
amazing and memorable year. Thank you!
Claudia Rojas,
Founder and Executive Director
Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce
Infrastructure in Colombia: the Next 20 years
The CTCC recently organized at the
offices of Mayer Brown, to organize
an event dedicated to the investment
of infrastructure projects that the
government of Colombia is
implementing, and the ample
opportunities it represents for
Texas-based companies. To talk about
this very interesting topic, the
Chamber invited a very distinguished
guest from Colombia, Mr. Carlos
Rosado Zúñiga, Board Director, ANI
(Infrastructure National Agency).
In his presentation, Mr. Rosado that 60% of
the investments represented in infrastructure
are concentrated in the electricity, oil, gas
and telecommunications sectors and only
0.59% of the funds are invested in
transportation infrastructure.
In Colombia, financial regulation has not
been an impediment for the participation of
pension funds, and it allows them to invest
up to 24% of the investment portfolio in
infrastructure: about $25 billion Colombian
pesos.
Mr. Rosado then explained the
government goals in numerical detail:
Increase investment budget to up to 3% of
GDP for 2014 (US$9 billion)
• US$3 billion through Public works
(1% of GDP)
• US$6 billion through concessions
(2% of GDP)
• First Step 2012: US$4 billion
(33% increase)
Goals for 2018:
1. Roads: highways will increase fivefold
2. Ferrous: to triple the railways in operation
3 Port: will double capacity at ports
4. Airport: passengers will increase by 50%
due to increasingly mobilized airports.
Mr. Rosado concluded his presentation with
the phrase “A real infrastructure revolution
is taking place in Colombia.”
The second conference was entitled “A
Recipe for success in Colombia” given by
Mr. Armando Ramirez, President at
Ramde International Inc., a top leader
distributer of Oilfield equipment in South
America. Ramde International was founded
in 1997, they specialize in Latin America
and have over 70 years of combined
experience. Ramde started operations in
Colombia in 2008. The company’s size has
almost doubled since Colombian office was
set up in 2008.
By Jenny Fula Communications and
Marketing Director CTCC
March 27, 2013
Past Events
CTCC First ANNIVERSARY LUNCH
!
Welcome to Our New Members
The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce celebrated its first anniversary this
year. In celebration, the CTCC invited its members to a traditional Colombian lunch,
in recognition and appreciation for all their support.
April 17,2013
Wood Group Mustang, Inc.
IHS, Inc.
Puffer-Sweiven
Disnaequipos SA
American Technology &
Controls
Parker Drilling
Special
Thanks to:
Special
Thanks to:
Our First Year: Times flies when you believe in and you love
what you are doing.
Due to new royalty law, accompanied by the new private and public association law, in conjunction
with the FTA, the possibilities for the US companies to participate in projects in Colombia driven
by the five pillars for the development established by the government (Agro-industry, oil and
mining, housing, technology and innovation and infrastructure) are worth of consideration.
Currently in Colombia more money is available than there are projects to execute. Actually, only
30% of the budget from the royalties have been awarded to date.
Since we launched the Chamber a year ago, as you can see in the insert included in this newsletter
issue, we have executed numerous events to promote our mission statement. We are always seeking
to communicate our potential investments and business opportunities in Colombia, by featuring top
quality presenters and always exceeding our attendance expectations. Along with the events, we
have taken two trade missions to Colombia and we have received two trade missions from
Colombia. We started a professional development program in collaboration with the Colombian
Consulate, the Greater Houston partnership and Ecopetrol-America.
One of our main events this year, is the Offshore Colombia Forum, that will include speakers and
panels of experts from the energy field in the U.S. and in Colombia, discussing the best practices
from the Gulf of Mexico that can be applied in the Colombia Offshore in two main subjects:
Regulation and Supply Chain.
On another note, I am very pleased to report that Ecopetrol Colombia has chosen the Colombia
Texas Chamber of Commerce, as its supplier relationship development partner in the US. The
collaboration agreement has three components: Events (we are organizing an International Supplier
Meeting in Houston for them, taking place on May 10th), Technology Transferring, and strategic
alliances with US companies. We also conducted, a Human Talent recruiting event in Houston for
Ecopetrol Colombia in March.
We invite you to be a part of this dynamic Chamber by joining at one of our many membership
levels.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our current members, for their trust and
support; our board of directors; the industry sectors directors and the chamber’s staff for the
unrelenting energy and hard work they have put in to make this first year of the chamber an
amazing and memorable year. Thank you!
Claudia Rojas,
Founder and Executive Director
Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce
Infrastructure in Colombia: the Next 20 years
The CTCC recently organized at the
offices of Mayer Brown, to organize
an event dedicated to the investment
of infrastructure projects that the
government of Colombia is
implementing, and the ample
opportunities it represents for
Texas-based companies. To talk about
this very interesting topic, the
Chamber invited a very distinguished
guest from Colombia, Mr. Carlos
Rosado Zúñiga, Board Director, ANI
(Infrastructure National Agency).
In his presentation, Mr. Rosado that 60% of
the investments represented in infrastructure
are concentrated in the electricity, oil, gas
and telecommunications sectors and only
0.59% of the funds are invested in
transportation infrastructure.
In Colombia, financial regulation has not
been an impediment for the participation of
pension funds, and it allows them to invest
up to 24% of the investment portfolio in
infrastructure: about $25 billion Colombian
pesos.
Mr. Rosado then explained the
government goals in numerical detail:
Increase investment budget to up to 3% of
GDP for 2014 (US$9 billion)
• US$3 billion through Public works
(1% of GDP)
• US$6 billion through concessions
(2% of GDP)
• First Step 2012: US$4 billion
(33% increase)
Goals for 2018:
1. Roads: highways will increase fivefold
2. Ferrous: to triple the railways in operation
3 Port: will double capacity at ports
4. Airport: passengers will increase by 50%
due to increasingly mobilized airports.
Mr. Rosado concluded his presentation with
the phrase “A real infrastructure revolution
is taking place in Colombia.”
The second conference was entitled “A
Recipe for success in Colombia” given by
Mr. Armando Ramirez, President at
Ramde International Inc., a top leader
distributer of Oilfield equipment in South
America. Ramde International was founded
in 1997, they specialize in Latin America
and have over 70 years of combined
experience. Ramde started operations in
Colombia in 2008. The company’s size has
almost doubled since Colombian office was
set up in 2008.
By Jenny Fula Communications and
Marketing Director CTCC
March 27, 2013
Past Events
CTCC First ANNIVERSARY LUNCH
!
Welcome to Our New Members
The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce celebrated its first anniversary this
year. In celebration, the CTCC invited its members to a traditional Colombian lunch,
in recognition and appreciation for all their support.
April 17,2013
Wood Group Mustang, Inc.
IHS, Inc.
Puffer-Sweiven
Disnaequipos SA
American Technology &
Controls
Parker Drilling
Special
Thanks to:
ISSUE
TRADE Barranquilla and to the 3rd Colombia Oil and Gas
MISSION Summit and Exhibition 2013- Cartagena
The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce organized a
trade mission to Barranquilla and Cartagena. The participants
in the trade mission had one-on-one meetings with companies
of their interest in Barranquilla, visited the port of Palermo, (a
cluster for oil and gas services), and where invited by
Barranquilla’s Mayor, Elsa Noguera de la Espriella, to join the
bicentennial celebration.
April
2013
ChamberNews
Editorial
Our First Year
Past Events
An independent
non-profit organization,
established with the
purpose of promoting
trade and investment
between Colombia and
the State of Texas.
Chambers of Commerce Best Practices Forum
www.colombiatexaschamber.com
713.489.8800
INFORMATION
Mission
April 6 - 12, 2013
Francesca Bacci, Business
Development Manager, Italy- America
Chamber of Commerce of Texas,
Leondria R. Thompson, President,
Tri-County Black Chamber of
Commerce, Jagdip Ahluwalia, executive
Director, Indo-American Chamber of
Commerce of Greater Houston,
Christine Buzzard, Executive Director,
U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce,
Daria Westerfield, Membership Director,
U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce,
06
In This Issue
The Trade mission then left to Cartagena, to participate in the
Expo Oil and Gas Summit and Exhibition 2013. Guests had
the opportunity to attend VIP events, networking coffees and
lunch events, conferences, forums, and also had one on one
business meetings with companies of their interest.
For the first time since its formation,
CTCC invited other international trading
chambers and organizations to share
and discuss their experiences and best
practices.
MONTHLY
JOURNAL OF
and Claudia Rojas, Executive Director,
Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce,
where part of the panel, Their
participation was instrumental for the
other attendees to learn firsthand
regarding the best practices,
experiences and tools the chambers
have.
The CTCC invited AAG to present their
Matchup speed networking and the
mobile meeting application and
Chamber Nation, as well as to present
their Membership development system.
BBVA presented their Program for not
profit organizations.
April 17, 2013
Graphic Design by:
Catalina Duque 832.6914664
cd@solutionscreation.com
The Colombia-Texas
Chamber of Commerce
facilitates American and
Colombian companies
to expand their business
in Colombia and Texas.
The Chamber
accomplishes this by
providing access to
specialized market
research, identifying
business leads and
reliable business
partners. The Chamber
also provides access to
high level business and
governmental decision
makers.
The chamber is a forum
for the exchange on
information related to
Colombia and Texas
and promotes and
serves as a conduit for
fostering of commercial
and cultural ties.
The chamber supports
social progress in
Colombia through
partnership with
recognized charitable
institutions and
programs.
Our First Year:
B
Times flies when you
believe in and you love
what you are doing.
y this time last year, the beginning of the Free Trade Agreement between the US and Colombia
had been announced to begin as of May 15th, 2012. After years of negotiations, the green light was
finally given to formalize a commercial partnership that already was beneficial for the Colombian
exporters due to other agreements, like the APDEA, The newly implemented Free Trade Agreement
would take this measure and expand the opportunity to the US exporters, enabling them to be
competitive in a country with an attractive market size, a growing economy and a US-friendly
environment. Such a combination was not easy to find in Latin America a year ago, or even today. For
Texas, Colombia was even more attractive because in recent years it had began a transformation to
become an oil and gas producing country, something that historically had never been a possibility.
With this in mind, we announced the formation of the Colombia-Texas Chamber of Commerce in
Houston, TX, during OTC 2012. The over-arching goal of the Chamber has been to assist both
Texas-based and Colombian companies to expand their business in the two regions and beyond. The
Chamber facilitates access by providing specialized market research, identifying business leads and
reliable business partners, and provides access to high level business and governmental decision
makers. The chamber also provides a forum for the exchange of information and policy issues related
to Colombia and Texas trade and investment. It also supports and serves as a conduct for fostering of
commercial and cultural ties.
With Houston’s internationally recognised status as the oil and energy capital of the US and the
U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement finally operational, Houston is ideally positioned to play a
central role in expanding U.S. trade and investment into Colombia. According to the Greater Houston
Partnership (GHP), Houston already currently serves as Colombia’s largest gateway for international
trade. Annual trade between Houston and Colombia increased 8.5 percent within a year, up from $9.6
billion in November 2011 to $10.4 billion in November 2012. Colombia runs as Houston’s sixth
international partner.
It is not just bilateral trade that is growing. Foreign direct investment, particularly in the resource
sector, is expanding greatly as well. Foreign direct investment into Colombia grew from $13.5 billions
in 2011 to $15.8 billions in 2012. More than 54% of those funds were invested in further developing
oil and mining initiatives.