UNIDO ITPO Tokyo organized a webinar titled “Valle Del Cauca, Colombia: Logistics & Export Platform for Japanese Companies” on 9 September 2021, jointly with Invest Pacific and the Commercial Section of the Embassy of Colombia in Japan.
The seminar was opened by the address of Mr. Yuko Yasunaga, Head of UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, followed by the address of Ms. Clara Luz Roldán, Governor of Valle del Cauca. Governor Roldán introduced that Valle del Cauca contributes 15% to the national industry and 23% to the agribusiness, and is a gateway to the countries of the Pacific Basin due to its strategic location.
Mr. Juan Camilo Gómez, Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of Colombia and also the Representative of PROCOLOMBIA in Japan, mentioned that the Government of Colombia is committed to health and economic recovery and the development of the private sector, which has made Colombia one of the most politically stable markets in Latin America. Mr. Gómez also emphasized that Colombia is an ideal nearshoring destination with its geographical location and its network of free trade agreements (FTAs). He further mentioned that Colombia has 117 Free Trade Zones (FTZs) where investors can enjoy the most attractive incentive packages in the region, and concluded his presentation by offering tailor-made services to the interests and needs of potential investors.
Mr. Alejandro Ossa, Executive Director of Invest Pacific mentioned that the region, with a seaport on the Pacific coast and 7 FTZs, is the ideal platform for companies in Asia to produce/export their products to the U.S. market taking advantage of the Colombia-US FTA. Mr. Ossa introduced that the region, with a large number of higher educational institutions and technical training facilities, can supply a variety of qualified human resources . He also mentioned that the region can offer lower operating costs such as real estate and wages/salaries when compared to other main industrial locations in Latin America. Referring to the fact that Valle del Cauca is already a home for over 200 foreign companies from diverse sectors, Mr. Ossa encouraged the webinar participants to visit the region and consider investment.
Mr. Mauricio Concha Rivera, Investment Manager of Invest Pacific moderated a panel discussion inviting Mr. Masaki Machida, General Manager of Electro Japonesa and Mr. Jorge Losada, Vice President of Fanalca. Electro Japonesa, established in 1971, is a retailer of home appliances/consumer electronics and is into both B2B and B2C, currently with 600 employees and 22 shops in the country. Mr. Machida introduced about the Japanese community in Colombia, which is the 3rd biggest in Latin America and is heavily inhabited in Valle del Cauca. Mr. Jorge Losada, Vice President of Fanalca, mentioned that the company has long working experiences with Honda Motor, assembling/manufacturing Honda motorcycles. Mr. Losada also introduced that the company recently started business of delivery trucks and low volume components for specialty vehicles targeting the US market.
Seminar Outline:
Date/Time: 9 September 2021 (Thu) 10:00-10:55 (JST)
8 September 2021 (Wed) 20:00-20:55 (COT)
Format: Online seminar / Live stream on zoom
Organized by: UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, Invest Pacific, Commercial Section of the Embassy of Colombia in Japan
Languages: English-Japanese simultaneous interpretation
Participation: Free of charge
*To view the presentation slides, click the presentation/video titles in the programme below.
Programme
10:00 Opening Remarks
Mr. Yuko Yasunaga, Head of UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, Japan
Ms. Clara Luz Roldán, Governor, Valle del Cauca, Colombia (video message)
10:10 Invest in Colombia: A Confident Destination for FDI
Mr. Juan Camilo Gomez, Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of Colombia in Japan
10:25 Valle del Cauca: Logistics and Export Platform (Video: Invest Pacific)
Mr. Alejandro Ossa, Executive Director, Invest Pacific
10:40 Panel Discussion
Moderator: Mr. Mauricio Concha Rivera, Manufacturing Sector Investment Manager
Mr. Masaki Machida, General Manager of Electro Japonesa
Mr. Jorge Losada, Vice President of Fanalca (Partner of Honda Motor in Colombia)
10:55 Q&A
11:05 Close of the seminar
