Colombia offers opportunities in the cosmetics and personal care products industry through 13 free trade agreements, investment protections, and access to over 1.5 billion consumers. The country has a growing and consolidated cosmetics sector with major foreign companies investing in production and innovation centers. Key regions like Antioquia, Cauca Valley, Caribbean and Cundinamarca have strategic locations, qualified workforces, and universities supporting the industry.

1. COSMETICS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
Thirteen free trade agreements offer tariff benefits and stability for long-
term investments.
Ten international investment agreements with Colombia. Includes
agreements for the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments.
Industry, Trade, and Tourism Ministry, 2014.
Colombia is competitively located, providing easy access to global markets
with over 700 direct international flights each week and more than 4,900
domestic flights each week.
Potential for preferential access to over 1.5 billion consumers due to the
country’s geographical location and signed Free Trade Agreements with
countries of the Andean Community, NAFTA, Mercosur, the United
States, the European Union, the Northern Triangle, and Canada.
COLOMBIA, A PRODUCTION CENTER
AND OUTSTANDING LOGISTICS
HUB IN THE AMERICASGROWTH, CONFIDENCE AND
OPPORTUNITIES TO INVEST
Libertad y Orden

2. Legislation adapted to implement research and
developmentinthesector.Industrialpropertyprotection
granting 20-year exclusivity to patent holders. SIC, 2012.
The cosmetics sector generates the highest participation
in foreign sales, with several companies located in
Colombia supplying the region’s markets along with
important distribution centers for Latin America. ANDI.
Cosmetics and Toiletries Industry Chamber, 2012.
There are over 300 cosmetics packaging companies. BPR
Benchmark, 2013.
Leading country in biodiversity. It holds nearly 10%
of the world’s biological diversity on only 0.7% of the
worldwide continental surface area. It is the country
with the highest diversity per square meter. Earth Trends.
Exports of cosmetics and toiletries increased by 17.6%
between 2000 and 2013. CAGR and eight times since
2000. This trend is very likely to continue, thanks to
trade agreements currently in effect and those soon to
be signed. DANE, 2014.
OPPORTUNITY IN PRODUCTION,
R&D&I AND LOGISTICS CENTERS.
“Colombia is one of the leading countries of the region in terms of innovation and quality of human
capital. It is the country with the highest manager credibility in the region, and second in innovation
capability during 2013.”
WorldCompetitivenessYearbookIMD,2013
Availability of a qualified labor force for research and
production, with over 130,000 professionals and
technicians available for the cosmetics and toiletries
sector. Employment Observatory, 2013.

3. MARKET POTENTIAL FOR
MEN AND WOMEN
Growing participation of women in the labor market.
Women represent 42% of the labor market.
In Colombia, the number of women executives exceeds
other Latin American countries and some developed
countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany,
Japan, and France.
Consumption by men and adolescents is growing. In
2015, the male market is expected to represent 25% of
the total and in 2016 adolescents should reach 10%.
Money Magazine.

4. COLOMBIA, A COUNTRY WITH
MULTIPLE DEVELOPMENT HUBS
ANTIOQUIA
Network of R&D-generating universities
and centers.
Over 20,000 graduates with industry-
related degrees.
Holds 10% of the packaging production
companies in the country.
Approximately 11% of packaging companies are
located in this department.
Strategic geographical location and excellent
export logistics capability toward the Pacific
Ocean.
More than 14,000 graduates with industry-
related degrees.
Holds more than 55% of the cosmetics
packaging companies in the country.
Network of R&D-generating universities
and centers.
Strategic geographical location and
excellent export logistics capability toward
the Atlantic Ocean.
Source: BPR Benchmark, 2013 and
Employment Observatory, 2013.
CAUCA VALLEY
CARIBBEAN
CUNDINAMARCA

5. CONSOLIDATED SECTOR WITH
SIGNIFICANT GROWTH
Colombia is the fifth largest cosmetics
and toiletries market in Latin
America. Euromonitor International, 2014.
Average annual growth of 9.9% in
productive activity in the sector since
the year 2000. ANDI, Cosmetics and
Toiletries Industry Chamber, 2012.
Sector sales grew by 6.9% between
2000 and 2013, and an additional
7.4% growth is expected by 2018
versus 2013. Euromonitor International,
2014.
COLOMBIAN COSMETICS AND PERSONAL
CARE PRODUCTS MARKET
2000-2018P - MILLIONS OF US$ - (%)
P: PROJECTED. Source: © Euromonitor International 2014, figures PROCOLOMBIA.

6. MAJOR FOREIGN COMPANIES CHOOSE
COLOMBIA AS A PLACE TO INVEST
Kimberly Clark, United States: Launched its third global
innovation center in Medellin.
Yanbal, Peru: Invested in the adaptation of its plant in
Colombia to create a portfolio of products for men.
Unilever, United Kingdom: Central office for Central America
and the Andean region, distribution center and its most
technological plant for detergents, located in Valle del Cauca.
Procter & Gamble, United States: Inaugurated new center of
operations in Rionegro.
Belcorp, Peru: Invested in an R&D center and a production
plant in Tocancipá to supply the market for the Andean region.