1. WHAT WE OFFER
IBR Colombia offers your company tailor-made, professional research at cost price. We have the capabilities to investigate organizations and markets in an
objective manner and provide you with specific knowledge about Colombia. The research will be performed in close collaboration with contracting companies
to make sure it will be customized to your needs.
COLOMBIA‘The new Latin American promise’
Economics and Business Faculty association
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS RESEARCH

2. ABOUTUSEXECUTIVEBOARD INTRODUCING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS RESEARCH
In an increasingly globalizing world, it is important for companies to look beyond
the borders of their own country. In fact, Dutch companies have to keep
expanding their scope even outside of Europe in order to attain and sustain growth.
International Business Research is the perfect way for companies to gain
knowledge about upcoming economies. During the last 27 years, the Inter-
national Business Research initiative has helped a large amount of compa-
nies, from small and medium-sized enterprises to multinationals, to expand their
knowledge of new emerging markets.
The strength of International Business Research comes from the fact that it offers
tailor-made market research at cost price carried out by thoroughly selected students.
These students are supervised by two senior professors. Furthermore, IBR is guided by
a carefully selected advisory board.
International Business Research is the perfect opportunity to gain knowledge
of the promising Colombian market.
From left to right: Romy Niels (PR and Travel Coordinator), Joep Breurkens (Chairman), Anneke Damhuis (Vice-Chairman
and Treasurer), Bart Schooten (External Relations) and Sam Brands (External Relations).

3. SERVICESRESEACH-SETUP WHAT WE OFFER
IBR Colombia offers your company tailor-made, professional research
at cost price. We have the capabilities to investigate organizations and
markets in an objective manner and provide you with specific knowledge
about Colombia. The research will be performed in close collaboration with
contracting companies to make sure it will be customized to your needs.
OUR STRENGTHS
• Tailor-made, professional research at
cost price.
• Over 27 years of research experience.
• Four months of intensive preparation by
25 high quality students.
• Supervised by two senior professors of
the University of Groningen and our advi-
sory board.
• Opportunity to get into contact with high
quality students.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
• Commercial Activities
• Competitor Analysis
• Consumer Behavior
• Distribution Analysis
• Feasibility Research
• Import- and Export Analysis
• Sector Analysis
• Outsourcing
On request, other research proposals
can be offered.
GENERALPREPARATIONPHASE
SPECIFIC RESEARCH PHASE
REPORTING PHASE
In this phase, students’ knowledge of Colombia, market
research and their methodological expertise will be
improved.
During this phase, the specific needs of your company will
be thoroughly examined. Also, the set-up of the research,
the preliminary research and the field research in
Colombia will be executed.
The last phase will consist of completing the research.
Results will be presented to your company in a final
research report. All results will be handled confidentially.

4. OPPORTUNITIESINTERESTINGSECTORS WHY COLOMBIA?
In the last decade, “the fastest-growing economy of Latin America” has developed
itself as an attractive country for foreign investment. Explanations are its diverse econ-
omy combined with its convenient geographic location, Colombia’s aggressive promo-
tion of Free Trade Agreements and a continuous and stable economic growth of more
than 4% annually over the last four years. Not surprisingly, the Dutch government has
declared Colombia a ‘transition country’, which eases trade between both countries.
Additionally, Colombia has a rapidly expanding middle class, relatively young population
and a more stable political situation. These are important ingredients for sustainable
economic growth. Forecasts show that Colombia will continue this
growing trend, leading to Colombia being the ultimate investment opportunity for your
company in Latin America.
OIL AND GAS The newly enacted and stable legal system surrounding the
Colombian oil and gas industry creates a favorable business environment, with
Bogotá as its center. The many opportunities created here, as a result of new
recovery technologies and unconventional crude oil projects, present a strong
contrast to the global context of the difficult and changing oil and gas sector.
WATERMANAGEMENT The Netherlands is a worldwide expert in watermanagement. The
Holland Colombia Water Platform (HCWP) and the Dutch government organized various
business trips to Colombia to enlarge the export of Dutch knowledge and p r o d -
ucts. The close links between Colombia and the Netherlands on watermanagement
will make opportunities in this sector even stronger for Dutch firms in the future.
AGRIBUSINESS This sector offers many opportunities for agricultural and farming
investments, as Colombia has a strategic geographical position. Colombia experiences
strongsunlightallyearroundanditsenormousopportunitiesforinvestmentscanimprove
agribusiness practices in Colombia to reach its full potential. In addition, the government
stimulatesthissectorsthroughtaxcutsandfreetradeagreementswiththeEuropeanUnion.
OTHER SECTORS WITH HIGH POTENTIAL IN COLOMBIA
• Automotive
• Textile and clothing
• Biotechnology
• Software and IT Services
• Infrastructure
• Medical supplies
• Sustainable energy
• Food processing
• Mining

5. RECOMMENDATIONSHISTORY “On several occasions IBR has proven to us that the research conducted for our
company was detailed and of a very high standard. Every report helped us to make
a final decision to enter a market or to refrain from making further investments. The
students conducting the research have always been very focused and several found
their first job in our company afterwards.”
C.D. Schut - Commercial Manager
AkzoNobel Functional Chemical Salt Specialties
“On behalf of EA Broekema, I can warmly recommend the International Business
Research (IBR) initiative. Their reports provided us with valuable intelligence about the
market of conveyor belts in these countries, which are key to our growth strategy. It
was a great pleasure to work with these highly enthusiastic students, who came well
prepared and were very committed to the task. The young and dedicated teams brought
this special energy that added fun to the work. I strongly suggest that entrepreneurs
consider IBR when exploring opportunities in emerging markets.”
J. Huisman - General Director
EA Broekema
“ItiswithpleasurethatIendorsetheInternationalBusinessResearchinitiative.Inamore
globalized world it is also for the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of
Groningen important to have an increasing international scope. Furthermore, the FEB
continues to increase the connection between students and businesses. International
Business Research is the perfect combination of academic training and real life market
research. With International Business Research, companies have the chance to get in
contact with carefully selected and highly motivated students.”
Prof. dr. J.H. Garretsen - Dean of Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Groningen
OVER THE YEARS IBR HAS CONDUCTED RESEARCH FOR OVER 170 ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING:
ABN Amro Bank N.V.
Acquion
AEGON
AkzoNobel
Alphatron
Capgemini Nederland
Coram International
Deloitte
Douwe Egberts
DSM
Elsevier
EVD
Fair Trade Organization
FGM
FMO
Friesland Foods
Fugro
Havenbedrijf Rotterdam
Heineken
IHC Holland
IMD
ING Group
Kleyn International
Nefit
Peijnenburg Group
Prescan
Rabobank
Randstad
Royal Philips Electronics
Royal P&O Nedlloyd
Royal Vopak
SBM
Smit Internationale
SHV Holdings
Stop Aids Now Tal-
ent&Pro

6. ADVISORYBOARD
Commercial Director
EA Broekema B.V.
Project Officer International
Netherlands Water Partner-
ship
Managing Director
Top Latin Export
Latin America Business Ex-
port Consultant
Chairman / Senior Consul-
tant
Coöporatie Agrimaco U.A.
Manager Business Develop-
ment
Port4Growth, Programma
Groeiversneller
Lecturer Business Marketing
Faculty of Economics and
Business
University of Groningen
Manager Marketing and
Communication
Fenedex
Senior Economist
Atradius
Senior Vice-President,
General Manager Business
Lamp Electronics
Philips Lighting
Area Manager Latin America
Nederlands Centrum voor
Handelsbevordering
Managing Director / Director
Operations
Propulsion System Services
Wärtsilä Netherlands B.V
Associate Professor
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Groningen
Marketing Manager MCA, Industrial Chemi-
cals
AkzoNobel
Senior Programme Manager Latin America
Centre for the Promotion of Imports from
Developing Countries
Chairman
IBR Chile 2015
Regional Manager South America
Boskalis International B.V.
Managing Director
Antea Group
Relationship Manager FIEM Americas
Rabobank
Managing Director
IRO
Manager International Relations
Koninklijke Metaalunie
Managing Director / Owner
Horticonsult Global Partners B.V.
Former Director Economics province Gronin-
gen
VNO-NCW-Noord
Head of High Growth Markets
KPMG

7. BOARDOFRECOMMENDATION
President Director
Shell Netherlands B.V.
CEO
Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V.
CEO
Randstad Holding N.V.
CEO & Chairman of the Board of Man-
agement and the Executive Committee
AkzoNobel
P
Managing Director Risk & Regulatory
Deloitte Accountants B.V.
Chairman of the Executive Board
Achmea B.V.
President Director
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Neth-
erlands
to the Republic of Colombia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nether-
lands
CEO
N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie
Dean Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Groningen
Chairman of the Executive Board & CEO
Royal Vopak N.V.
President & CEO
Royal Philips N.V.
Business Line Director
Royal HaskoningDHV
CEO
Royal FrieslandCampina
President
De Nederlandsche Bank N.V.
CEO
GasTerra B.V.
Member of the Executive Board
Rabobank
Major
City of Groningen
CEO & Chairman Managing Board
Royal DSM
Rector Magnificus
University of Groningen
Chairman
Royal Association MKB-Nederland
Ambassador of the Kingdom of
the Netherlands to Indonesia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the
Netherlands
CFO
ORTEC B.V.
Part-time Professor Business
Econometrics
University Amsterdam
CEO
Royal BAM Groep N.V.

8. CONTACTCONTACT
International Business Research Colombia 2016
Faculty of Economics and Business
University of Groningen
Nettelbosje 2
9747 AE Groningen
The Netherlands
T: +31 (0)50 363 9488
E: colombia@ibr-groningen.nl
For further information please visit our website:
www.ibr-groningen.nl