Colombia is a South American country with a population of over 50 million people. Its major industries include textiles, food processing, and oil. Coffee, petroleum, and coal are its top exports. The capital and largest city is Bogota. Spanish is the official language and Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion. Business etiquette in Colombia emphasizes courtesy, formality, and taking time for social conversations. Negotiations also tend to be gradual processes that focus on building personal relationships.

1. Colombia
Alvaro Valenzuela
Luis Zamudio
Cesar Reyes
Alejandra Rodriguez
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2. Fast Facts
Monetary Unit: Peso
Major Industries: Textiles, food processing, oil
Key exports: Coffee (30%), petroleum (24%), coal
bananas, fresh cut flowers.
Key imports: Industrial equipment, transportation
equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals.
Main trading partners.
Exports: US (44%), EU (21%), Japan (5%), Netherlands (4%),
Sweden (3%).
Imports: U.S.(36%), EU(16%), Brazil (4%), Venezuela (3%),
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3. Fast Facts
Major cities: Bogota (cap.) (5.0 mil.), Medellin (1.6mil.),
Cali (1.6 mil.), Cartagena (707,000)
Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (mixed Spanish-Indian
group) (58%), Caucasian (20%), Mulatto (Black-
Caucasian mix) (14%)
Religion: Roman Catholic (95%) is the state religion,
though freedom of religion is guaranteed
Language: Spanish is the official language; English is
widely spoken in business.
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4. Reducing Communication
Greetings
Shake hands with men upon meeting, but not too vigorously. Women offer a
verbal greeting and may kiss each other on the cheek if they are acquainted.
Abrazos (hugs) are common only among close friends or relatives.
Address people by title (such as Señor, Señora, or Doctor) when
being introduced.
Conversation
Talk about their country's history of democracy and independence, Colombian
art, coffee, and the beautiful countryside.
Soccer (fútbol) is the most popular sport. Bicycle racing, swimming, track
and field, auto racing, and bullfights are also popular.
Avoid discussing politics or drugs, don't be critical of bullfighting, U.S.foreign
policy is often seen as overbearing.
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5. Key negotiating pointers
Colombian negotiators are gracious and formal. They are generally receptive
to U.S. business people.
Be punctual even though your counterpart may not be. Individuality
more than punctuality is stressed by Colombian negotiators.
Be prepared for sometimes long discussions over black Colombian coffee
before serious business is transacted.
The pace of negotiations is slow.
Focus on the top person in the negotiating team, probably the
head of the family firm.
Avoid embarrassing your counterpart in front of others. Try to find
ways to make him look good.
Put flair into your presentations.
Get a written agreement that summarizes the key aspects of
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6. Day-to-day pointers
Bussiness entertainment guidelines
Courtesy and etiquette are emphasized. Business is sometimes discussed over
meals, but let your Colombian counterpart bring up the subject.
Lunch is the main meal of the day, usually eaten between noon and 2:00 P.M.
Many businesses and schools close during this time, and family members eat
lunch together.
In restaurants, a 10 percent tip is usually included in the bill. If not, leave a tip at
the table.
Table Manners and Food
Social conversation over meals is prized.
Overeating is considered impolite. Though your host may offer more helpings,
politely refuse them.
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7. Gender Issues
There are very few Colombian women in professional or
management positions. Only about one-fourth of the workforce
is women, one of the lowest rates in the world.
Some traditional values prevail with the father the provider for
the family. The mother is usually responsible for home duties.
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8. Colombia
Standard monthly income of an average worker: 566,700
Colombian pesos a month (310.55 USD)
Marketing videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpAzVspQsbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgRkNKiOpIY
Country and people video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go9xfLzQa7o
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9. Mexbest
Safety and quality taste
MexBest is the institutional image created to present and promote
the Mexican agricultural food products with export quality at
exhibitions and the conferences of the agricultural industry, which
take place in the most important export markets.
The MexBest logo represents the Aztec symbol for eternal
movementù (Ollin) and it intends to show the constant evolution in
the trade of Mexican agricultural products within the global economy.
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10. CEMEX Colombia
CEMEX is a constructor company. And it’s been working on
colombia since 2005.
Colombia is prospering and CEMEX Colombia compromised with
the comunity. The infraestructure of the company improved and
it implemented a culture of innovation. They are focusing on the
client segment.
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11. Textile case
An american brand of clothes wants to import a diferent kind of
line and wants the textile from Colombia.
The brand sends a group of people to investigate about the
country. After the research they have to go to america and say
what they found out about Colombia. Then a smaller group of
negotiatiors would go to the textile company and do business.
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