Colombia: Market Access (Webinar)

Concept Note

Compliance with export and import required regulations, being informed about market access conditions and being able to utilize preferences remains key for SMEs in developing countries to achieve export success. With this aim, the International Trade Centre delivered a session on “Market Access” to around 400 participants from Colombia.

The webinar focused on which market conditions company should consider when exporting, and how ITC tools can help exporters and importers make informed decisions on their target markets and products based on these conditions. ITC presented Market Access Map and ePing to the attendees, explaining how these tools provide relevant and updated information on both tariffs and non-tariff measures. Results of the NTM Business Survey in Colombia was also discussed during this session.

This webinar was part of the “Training of Exporters” series of organized by the National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI) on 27 November 2020. The session, was targeted at current and potential exporters. In addition to this session, ITC delivered two extra sessions: one dedicated to Trade Map and Export Potential Map; and other on to the Global Trade Helpdesk.

ANDI is a Colombian non-profit business association, which aims to expand and promote economic, social and political principles within a free enterprise system. It is the largest business association in Colombia, with more than 1.200 members, representing around 50% of Colombia’s GDP.

Trainer

Ms. Paula Castaneda Verano is a consultant at the International Trade Centre (ITC) – a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Her work at ITC’s Trade and Market Intelligence section focuses on non-tariff measures (NTM) and market access. She has supported the implementation and analysis of the NTM Business survey in Pakistan, Tanzania and Oman. She has also worked as a national consultant for the NTM Business survey in Ecuador and Dominican Republic, and as an interviewer for the same survey in Colombia.

Before joining ITC, Ms. Castaneda gained experience in both the public and private sector in Colombia. She worked as economic adviser for the Vice-Ministry of Tourism in Colombia, as an adviser for the High Presidential Advisory Office of the regions, and as a research associate at the Colombian Private Council on Competitiveness. Ms. Castaneda holds a M.Sc. degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Master’s degree in Economics for the National University of Colombia, and Bachelor’s degree in Economics from El Rosario University in Bogota, Colombia.

Video Recording