Colombia

Brief Fact File

Capital	Bogota
Currency	Colombian Peso (COP)
Language(s)	Spanish
Local time	GMT - 05:00
Telephone code	57
Major cities	Cali, Madellin, Barranquilla, Cartagena

Economy
Colombia's economical growth was quite vigorous in 2002. The growth rate was 1.8% then. Now the economy is on a recovery process and is focussed to reduce the public debt levels and to make the economy an export oriented. The government's economic policy and democratic security strategy have built a growing sense of confidence in the economy. The agricultural sector is mainly dominated by coffee growing and it accounts for 7% of its GDP, employing 6 lakhs people. The country is also known for its 2nd position in the world in exporting cut flowers. The top trading partners of Colombia are the US, Venezuela and Mexico.

Major Exports:

• Petroleum
  
• Coffee
  
• Coal
  
• Apparel
  
• Bananas
  
• Cut Flowers

Major Imports:

• Industrial Equipment
  
• Transportation Equipment
  
• Consumer Goods
  
• Chemicals
  
• Paper Products
  
• Fuels
  
• Electricity

Business practices

Business dress
Formality for dress increases in Colombia as one moves inland. The business attire should be conservative which is not dated. It should be well worn. Suits in dark colors are preferred. Women should also dress conservatively and modestly. Grooming is important in Colombia. One should pay a close attention to the condition of his/her shoes, accessories, hair and nails.

Communication guidelines

• Handshaking is a customary greeting in business but make sure not to rush for it. Colombians take long time while greeting because they feel that it conveys respect for the other person. It is standard to shake hands before and after each meeting. Among friends, embrace is very common.
  
• Titles are very important in Colombia. One should address a person directly with his/her title only like Doctor, Profesor, Ingeniero (for engineers), Arquifecto (for architects) and so on. The titles should be included on the business cards. Person without such title should be addressed as Mr., Mrs., or Miss along with their surnames. In spanish the terms are Senor, Senora and Senorita respectively for Mr., Mrs., and Miss.
  
• Most of the Hispanics have two surnames, from their father as well as from their mother. The father's surname is listed first and only this is used while addressing someone.
  
• Bullfighting is popular in Colombia, so negative comments are not accepted.
  
• The topics for good conversation are history, culture, soccer, coffee, gold museum.
  
• The topics for bad conversation are drug traffic, politics and religion.
  
• If invited at home, take a gift of chocolates or flowers. Avoid marigolds or lilies because it is for funerals. Poor gift choices are jewelery and clothing as it is considered very personal. Gifts are opened in private.
  
• Business cards should be printed in English on one side and Spanish on the other. While exchanging cards, make sure, the Spanish side is upward.
  
• Lunch is the largest meal with most Colombians taking a couple of hours to have it with family.
  
• Proper table manners are important. All foods are eaten with utensils. The knife stays in the right hand and fork in the left. This arrangement is even for left-handed. Always wait for the host to start the eating or drinking.
  
• When finished, leave some food on the plate. This represent that the food was more than enough. Place the utensils across the plate when finished eating.
  
• In Colombia, it is crude to summon waiter or any other person by raising hands over the head, clapping or making a hissing sound. Try catching eyes of the wait person and nod or extend the arm with palm down and curl fingers towards oneself.
  
• In public it is impolite to yawn. Yawning, sneezing and coughing without covering the mouth is bad manner.
  
• Never use the American "ok" symbol i.e. forming a circle with thumb and forefinger.
  
• Going barefoot is taboo, except on the beach.
  
• To succeed in Colombia, give the business deal plenty of time, work on having a rapport than just trying to conduct business and speak softly.

Business hour
8.00 am to 5.00 pm (lunch time flexible between 12 noon to 2.00 pm)
7.30 am to 4.30 or 5.30 pm (for most manufacturing operations with an hour for lunch)

Important Contacts

Associations / Ministries
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism
Industria y Turismo, República de Colombia
Tel.: +(51)-(1)-6067676
Fax: +(51)-(1)-6967521
Website: http://www.mincomercio.gov.co

Indian Embassy / Counsulate

Embassy of India
Carrera 7 # 71-21
Oficina 1001 Torre B
Edificio Bancafé
Bogotá, Colombia
Tel.: +(57)-(1)-3174865 / 76 / 87
Fax: +(57)-(1)-3174976
E-mail: indembog@cable.net.co (Administration)
              indembogtr@cable.net.co (Commerce Wing)
Website: http://www.embajadaindia.org
Working hours:
8:30 am to 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm (Monday to Friday)

Consulate General of India
Santa de fe Bogata
Embassy of India
Hotel La Fontana, Suite No. 1-31
Avenue-127, No. 21-10
Santa De Fe Bogota
Tel.: +(57)-(1)-2740200/131, 2745140
Fax: +(57)-(1-2740200/131
E-mail: indembog@andinet.com

Visiting this country

Business Visa Rules for Colombia
The following documents are required for obtaining business visa for Colombia:

• A valid passport with at least two blank pages to affix the visa.
  
• Three recent passport-size photos.
  
• Two completed application forms.
  
• Onward or return tickets.
  
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover stay (like latest bank statements).
  
• Fee, payable by cash, cheque or postal order.
  
• Proof of address.
  
• A letter of responsibility from company in Colombia.
  
• Photocopies of all the above documentation.

Visa Validity
It is valid up to 3 months although depends on nationality and purpose of stay. A visitor's permit will be issued on arrival and a 15-day extension to this period can be granted.

Public Holidays

Festival	Date
New Year's Day	Jan 1
Epiphany	Jan 6*
St Joseph's Day	Mar 19*
Maundy Thursday	Apr 13
Good Friday	Apr 14
Labour Day	May 1
Ascension	May 5*
Corpus Christi	Jun 15*
Sagrado Corazon (Sacred Heart)	Jun 16
Saint Peter and Saint Paul	Jun 29*
Independence Day	Jul 20
Battle of Boyac'	Aug 7
Assumption	Aug 15*
Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day)	Oct 12*
All Saints' Day	Nov 1*
Independence of Cartagena City	Nov 11*
Thanksgiving	Nov 23
Immaculate Conception	Dec 8
Christmas Day	Dec 25

Note:- * When they do not fall on a Monday, these holidays are observed the following Monday.

Travel Tips

• A tipping of 10% is expected by taxi drivers. Porters are usually given Pesos 500 per item. Many bars, restaurants and cafes add 10% service charge to the bill or suggest a 10% tip. The maids and clerks in the hotels are also tipped. The shoeshine boys of Bogota's live on tips and expect about 1000 pesos.
  
• Traveling outside major cities requires sensible precautions because violence and kidnapping occur.
  
• Organise several ways of accessing money overseas, like credit cards, travellers' cheques and cash. Check with the home country bank whether their ATM card will work overseas.
  
• Make several photocopies of valuables like passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep them in separate places to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
  
• Do not carry too much cash and remember that expensive jewelry, cameras, watches may be tempting targets for thieves.