COLOMBIA - Eleven Brazilian companies that manufacture goods and technology for the furniture industry were present at the 12th edition of M&M Technological and Industrial Fair, held from March 12-15, in Bogota. 

Brazilian exhibiting companies included Akeo, Brasmacol, Farben, Franzoi, Jimo Química, Joelini, MP Maquinapack, Promob Softwares, Renner Sayerlack, Tecbril and Tramontina Teec. These companies were in Colombia as part of Orchestra Brazil, a project that encourages exports – a partnership between the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brazil) and the Furniture Industry Association of Bento Gonçalves (Sindmóveis).

A country of 47.7 million inhabitants, Colombia has the third largest economy in South America, with a GDP of US$ 522.8 billion (PPP), according to IMF estimates. With one of the highest economic growths in Latin America in recent years, the country has stability and is currently considered by the World Bank one of the best places to do business in South America. Its furniture industry has also expanded, with a production growth of 4.2% in 2013, according to Euromonitor data. The Colombian market also achieved major growth for member companies of the Orchestra Brazil Project. Their imports have grown by 23% a year on average since 2010. In 2013, it increased 35.6%. Recently appointed in studies and by business owners as one of the most promising markets in the world, Colombia is currently one of the priority countries of the project.