Summary

The Colombian market for office supplies developed very rapidly during 1991-1996. U.S. made office products found a promising market in Colombia, primarily because of their price competitiveness and excellent quality. The U.S. share of the total import market will continue to be approximately 40 percent of the total imports during the next two years.
This report covers a broad range of office supplies including the following product categories: from general consumer goods and paper products (staplers, punchers, cellophane tapes and adhesives, rulers, desktop accessories, envelopes, file folders, envelopes, record keeping & message books) to stationary supplies and writing materials (pens, pencils, erasers). The report excludes computers, printers and software (computer business equipment).

Market Assessment

1. Market Profile
 
In 1998, the size of the Colombian market for office supply was US $404 million including US $40.6 million in imports. This market is expected to expand at 3% during 1999, reaching US $415.6 million. US suppliers held 40 percent (US $18.2 million) of the office supply market during 1998 and their participation is expected to increase by 6 percent from 1998 to 1999 which reflects the preference that the Colombian market has for US office supplies.
During the following two years (2000-2001) the market for office supplies is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 6 percent while total imports would increase by 5 percent annually.
This means that local production would probably increase slightly
faster than imports as a consequence of the expected recovery in the Colombian manufacturing industry and the tendency that the current government has shown to protect the local industry. 
In spite of existing local production, U.S. firms can find best opportunities in selling sophisticated school and office supplies
at competitive prices. Examples of school supplies imported into the country are pens, pencils and drawing paper for mechanical and engineering drafting and art purposes. Examples of desired office supplies are high quality envelopes, file folders, binders, and note pads. The increasing number of imported typing machines, laser printers and coping machines has generated a strong demand for quality paper products and toners.
In general, products in the office supply industry are roughly divided into three groups: (1) Paper products, (2) writing tools and (3) other office products. Despite an insignificant decrease (0.3%) in sales of office supplies between 1997 and 1998 due to the current economic slowdown, a slight improvement is expected by the end of 1999, when the economy is expected to recover according to government estimates.
In Colombia, there is an informal, or illegal, import market comprised of inexpensive office and school products, specially writing tools and desk organizers, from China, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. These products can be found in commercial centers known as ôSan Andresitosö, (a series of warehouses where merchants install stands - 60,000 throughout the country). Most of the items sold in the ôSan Andresitosö are contraband or are sold as under-invoiced merchandise. Quantification of the contraband market is very difficult, however, it is substantial enough to present a marketing challenge to new market entrants, posing unfair competition, undermining the legitimate market and causing lower prices.
 
The new administration through the customs branch (DIAN) is trying to implement measures against contraband, and has started to close some of these warehouses. DIAN has established a one year grace period to pay taxes and legalize all the merchandise inside the ôSan ndresitosö. One of the main causes of the contraband is attributed to the high import duties and taxes for most consumer goods: 15-20 percent CIF import duty and a 16 percent value added tax (VAT) assessed on the CIF-duty-paid value of imported products.
 
2. Statistical Data and Notes (US Millions)
 Avg. Annual
 Year  Year Year Growth Next 2 Years
 1997 1998 1999 (2000-2001)(Percent)
Import Market 49.8 46.1 47.5 5
Local Production 400.0 410.0 422.3  -
Exports 44.6 52.1 54.2 -
Total Market 405.2 404.0 415.6 6
Imports from U.S. 18.0 18.4 19.3 6
Peso Exchange Rate 1293.0 1552.3 1.863.0 -
(End of year)
Estimated Future Inflation: 16 percent (1998 1999)
Last Year's Import Market Share (percent for USA and major
Competitors): USA 40.0%; Venezuela 11.0%; Germany 7.0%; China
6.0%; Japan 5.0%)
Sources: a. The Foreign Trade Institute (Instituto de Comercio
Exterior -INCOMEX).
b. The National Department of Statistics (Departamento
Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica -DANE)
 

Best Sales Prospects

Harmonized
Tariff Schedule Description
32.15.90.90.00 Printing inks, whether or not
  concentrated or solid
96.12.10.00.00 Other typewriter, printers or similar ribbons
48.21.90.00.00 Paper and paperboard labels of all kinds,
 whether or not printed or gummed
96.08.10.10.00 Ballpoint pens
96.08.20.00.00  Felt tipped and others porous-tipped pen and
 markers
35.06.10.00.00 Glues and adhesives
39.26.10.00.00 Office and/or school supplies
96.09.10.00.00 Pencils
48.20.10.00.00 Registers, accounting books, notebooks,
  order books, receipt books, letter pads,
 memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles
48.06 Tracing papers, glassine, and other glazed
 transparent or translucent papers, in rolls  or sheets
48.06.10.00.00 Vegetable parchment/greaseproof papers
48.17.10.00.00 Paper and paperboard envelops
48.17.20.00.00 Other paper and paperboard letter cards,
 plain post cards and corresponding cards used
 for printing and writing purposes
48.23.51.00.00 Other printed, embossed or perforated gummed
 or adhesive paper, in strip or rolls - cut to
 size and shape
9612 Ribbons for typewriters, printers or similar
 ribbons
84.72.90.40.00 Hole punchers/staplers
84.72.90.90.90 Other office machines such as mail folding
 and sorting, for inserting envelopes on bands, closing or sealing mail, for affixing or canceling postage stamps, and pencil
 sharpeners
96.09.20.00.00 Refills for ballpoint pens
 
4. Country Background/General Economic Background
 
Colombia is located in the northwestern corner of South America,with coasts on both the Atlantic (Caribbean Sea) and the Pacific Ocean. It covers an area of 440,000 square miles. The nation is divided into 32 departments (states) and 1,024 municipalities.
Its capital is Santafe de Bogota. With a population of approx.40.2 million, Colombia has the third largest population in Latin America after Brazil and Mexico. It is estimated that 75 percent of the population live in the urban centers and the remaining 25 percent live in the rural areas. The major cities are Bogota (6.2 million), Medellin (2 million), Cali (1.8 million), Barranquilla (1 million), and Cartagena, Cucuta and Bucaramanga have a population of approx. 600,000 each. Life expectancy averages 69.3 years.
Colombia is experiencing one of its worst economic downturns in about 30 years. Many industrial sectors have been affected. The current economic slow-down is attributed in part to a combination of factors including the effect of international economic crisis in the region and a huge fiscal deficit. As a result, consumers are holding off on purchases, bringing down sales volumes and projections.
 
Entrepreneurs are holding back on making new investments, and in general, the business community is in a ôwait and seeö mode. However, the industry sources and the government are optimistic about the overall outlook for Colombia. They forecast a 3.0 percent growth by year 2000. Agriculture accounts for 27 percent of the workforce, trade 24 percent, services 22 percent and the manufacturing industry 13
percent. The currency is the peso. The US dollar is exchanged freely. The exchange rate fluctuates according to market forces and within ceilings fixed by the Central Bank. The current exchange as of March 30, 1999 is of COL $1,533 for 1US$ Competitive Situation

Domestic Production

Domestic production is valued at approx. US $420 million. Domestic producers target the school/educational sub-sectors (60%) and office ends-users 40%. Domestic manufacturers dominate the market in categories such as pencils, envelopes, labels, recording books, accounting pads, columnar pads, notebooks, agendas, paper blocks, binders, report covers, fasteners, ball point pens, felt tipped and other porous tipped markers, staples, stationery articles and basic paper and paperboard used for printing purposes.
 
Following are some of the major domestic office products manufacturers:
 
3M DE COLOMBIA S.A. (Adhesive tapes, color and other tapes, Post-it, tape dispensers. This company also imports from subsidiaries in other countries.)
 
BDF (Leader in the manufacturer of glue sticks Pega Stic). CARVAJAL S.A. (The most important manufacturer of all type of office/school suplies ôNormaö and ôOfinormaö. They also manufacture office furniture and import office equipment.
 
CLAVERIA S.A.-Proficid (Business forms, file folders, notebooks
and binders)
 
DANARANJO S.A. (Security paper and forms such as stamps, check
books, bonds, securities, stocks, CDS, and other business forms)
FESA S.A. -Subsidiary of Carvajal S.A. (Chemical and security
paper, credit cards, and business forms. Also binders, report
covers, paper blocks, envelopes, all type of folders, labels,
indexes and transparencies.
 
FORMATEC LTDA. (Business and other forms, photocopy paper, and
bar code stickers)
 
GENERAL METALICA & CIA. (Clips, industrial and office
staplers/staples) 
 
LEGIS-LEGISLACION ECONOMICA S.A. (Business forms, note books,
specialized calendars-appointment books, business code stickers.
They also print the Colombian Legal Codes (refill system) and
specialized directories by industries)
 
LUNARANJO & CIA. (Note books, paper blocks, gift wrapping paper,
and specialized stationery like invoices, receipts, etc.)
 
NEWELL SANFORD, formerly Berol (Pencils, crayolas, markers,
hi-liters)
 
 
Currently domestic manufacturing companies are exporting aperoffice/school products mostly to neighboring Venezuela and
Ecuador, and to Central America. Colombian exports of office supplies amounted to approx. US $52 million in 1998.
 
2. Imports
 
The total market for office products in Colombia was US$404.0
million in 1998. Total imports during the same year amounted to
US $46.1 million distributed as follows: Venezuela 11 percent,
Germany 7 percent, China 6 percent, Japan 5 percent, (and U.S. 40
percent). Generally, in Colombia, importers of office supplies
do not market their products through agents - they prefer to
appoint local distributors or wholesalers to sell and promote
their products.
Foreign company brands (both locally based and from abroad)
account for approximately 30 percent of the total market, while
70 percent is supplied by local companies. Traditionally,
Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom have been the major U.S. competitors in supplying office and school products to Colombia. Some major importers are: Gillette de Colombia ("Paper Mate" pens, markers, hi-liters), LEGIS ("ACCO" products), Industrias Gioto ("ABC Bates", "Skrebba", "Rapid" products), Panamericana (inks, transparencies, color pencils, pens, crayons, markers, hi-liters, etc.). However, local trade sources indicate that inexpensive low quality products from China, Taiwan, and Korea are becoming more popular and may take a considerable share of the office supplies market in Colombia.

US Market Share

The U.S. accounted for nearly 40 percent share ($18.4 million) of all office supply imports during 1998. U.S. products enjoy a significant competitive advantage over other countriesÆ products due primarily to their reputation for reliability, innovative designs and excellent quality. Some traditional U.S. brand names that are found in the market are ACCO, Avery, Berol, BIC, Borden, Cross, Eberhard-Faber, Globe Weis, Hunt Boston, Kimberly Clark, Paper Mate, Parker, Pentel, Pilot, Rolodex, Stanley and Stanley Bostitch.
 

End User Analysis

The primary end-users of office supplies in Colombia are individuals (70 percent), private companies and government institutions (30 percent). Although each of these end-users source their purchases through various providers (as discussed below), a few common providers are the network of supermarkets, hypermarkets and department stores.
As intermediaries, most supermarkets, hypermarkets and department stores have organized their own import department, and very often prefer to import directly. U.S. suppliers sometimes sell directly 
to wholesalers and department stores. (A complete listing of the most important suppliers is contained in Section 4 of this report.)
 
Individuals: Includes students, professionals and small "mom & pop" shops. According to the DANE (National Institute of Statistics) Colombia has approximately 10 million students.
School students number approximately 8.8 million, while university students amount to approximately 1.2 million
distributed as follows:
 Bogota 40%
  Cali 20%
 Medellin 20%
 Barranquilla 10%
 Other 10%
Colombia has approximately 40.2 million inhabitants of which 47
percent are men and 53 percent are women. The country's
population is young, with 52 percent of the total population
under 24 years of age. The estimated average number of people
per family unit is five; this would mean that the approximate
number of family units is 8.0 million.
Population by age group in Colombia (based on the 1993 national
census is:
 AGE TOTAL
4.4 million
4.3 million
4.0 million
4.2 million
4.1 million
3.5 million
2.8 million
2.5 million
1.9 million
1.5 million
50-54 1.3 million
Other 6.5 million
The final purchase decision is influenced by numerous factors and
varies within the socio-economic levels. Upper and middle class
individuals prefer higher quality products even though the prices
might be higher.
Following is a tentative break down of family units by social
class:
High Class- upper level 2 percent
High Class-others 8 percent
Middle Class - medium to upper levels 20 percent
Middle Class - low level 30 percent
Low Class - all levels 40 percent
Private Companies: Within this category, we can include large
companies such as oil & gas firms, public utilities (electric,
water, sewage and waste disposal and communications),
multi-national organizations, and banks. This category buys
office products from large suppliers. This practice allows them
to get all the office products and preferred brand names from one
supplier. Free-delivery is common. In general, payment term is 30
days upon receipt of merchandise. Small and medium-sized
companies buy office products from specialized retailers, small
distributors or department stores.
The Confederation of Chambers of Commerce reports 372,045
companies registered within the local Chambers of Commerce
located in Colombia, as follows:
 CITY TOTAL COMPANIES PERCENTAGE
 Bogota 109,036 29%
 Medellin 45,700 12%
 Cali 37,500 10%
 Barranquilla 18,500 5%
 Bucaramanga 14,900 4%
 Pereira 10,200 3%
 Manizales 10,200 3%
 Ibague 10,200 3%
 Other 117,000 31%
Such companies are classified by their assets in:
Mini-small companies 35% assets below US $500,000
Small companies 58% assets between US $500,001 and US
 $1,000,000
Medium sized companies 5% assets between US $1,000,001 and
 US $100,000,000
Large companies 2% assets above US $100,000,000
By the end of 1998, approximately 2.4 million computers were in
use in Colombia. Almost 95 percent of the companies are using
computer systems; 40 percent use "cutting edge" software, with
an average of three computers connected to the same printer.
Colombian industry, commerce and government have started to use
high volume/demand types of basic business equipment creating new
demand for foreign-made, quality office supplies.
Government institutions: Consists of central government (with
650,000 employees), descentralized institutes, 32 departments,
1,080 municipalities, 13 ministries, etc.) The budget of the
central government covers the administrative, judicial and
legislative branches and certain administrative agencies. All
governmental agencies purchase their office supplies to large
office products outsourcing providers or wholesalers. When the
purchase is above US $2,600 it is mandatory to request minimum
three quotations.
 

Market Access

1. Import Climate.
 
After a trade liberalization program in 1991 to open importation
and streamline customs procedures, the demand for consumer goods
increased and the market for office products expanded. Local
wholesalers, distributors, chain and department stores were able
to import more readily throughout the year (instead of only
during the initiation of the two school year terms - February and
September).
The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Trade enforces import and
export regulations. For years, imports of goods and services
were subject to high import duties and to the prior approval of
import licenses, which were very difficult to obtain. The
purpose of these restrictions were, according to economic
theories that prevailed for several decades, to stimulate a
gradual substitution of imports through the creation of local
assembling industries that would have an increasing percentage of
locally produced components.
This protectionism led to a high level of contraband which was
tolerated by the government for economic (the high number of
informal jobs generated by this activity) and populist political
reasons.
Most products including capital equipment, raw materials, and
consumer goods can be freely imported into the country. However,
corresponding customs duties plus a 16 percent sales or
value-added tax, which is assessed on CIF value of the shipment,
must be paid. Duties were consolidated into four categories: (1)
zero percent for primary goods, inputs and capital goods not
produced in the country; (2) 5 and 10 percent for the same
categories of products manufactured in country; (3) 15 and 20
percent for final consumer goods.
The following example illustrates how a 20 percent duty affects
the original price of an imported product:
 1. FOB purchase price $100.00
 2. Insurance and freight cost $ 20.00
 3. CIF price $120.00
 4. 20% duty of the CIF price $ 24.00
 5. 16% VAT (IVA) $ 23.04
 TOTAL IMPORTERÆS COST  $167.04
All imports must be registered with the Colombian Foreign Trade
Institute (INCOMEX), by properly filling out an import
application form known as "Registro de Importacion" (Import
registration) sold by INCOMEX (about US $15). For address see
section 4a.
An import declaration must also be presented on the official
forms provided by the DIAN (Internal Revenue and Customs
Administration). According to Colombian Customs Law, the import
declaration must be presented in the authorized banks along with
payment of import duties and taxes.
Colombia has developed a strategy of market expansion and consolidation by strengthening its commercial relationships with other countries in the region. A series of new and preexisting trade agreements like the Andean Community Market (ANCOM) and the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA)-- which replaced the Latin American Free Trade Association (LAFTA)-- have been implemented.
 
Under the ANCOM agreement, the signatory countries are obliged to assign a common external tariff (CET) for imports coming from third countries and, at the same time, eliminate duties for products manufactured and imported from within the region. In December 1991, the Presidents of the ANCOM countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela) met and decided to accelerate the regional free trade market. In general, there are four tariff levels in the CET: 5, 10, 15, and 20 percent. 
Imports of office products pay duties ranging from 5 to 20 percent depending which country they are imported from. As these countries grow and modernize, foreign firms may consider the expanded ANCOM market attractive enough to initiate local production for the regional market. Their local production facilities will pay no duty for imports coming from any of the member countries.
Over the past five years Colombia has also signed the following regional commercial agreements:
Acuerdo de Complementacion Economica (Economic Complementation Agreement) with Chile. The Agreement seeks a free trade area in the future, gradually removing tariff and non-tariff barriers. 93% of the Colombian exports to Chile will be duty-free by 1997. -Acuerdo de Alcance Parcial (Partial Balance) with Panama. -Acuerdo de Libre Comercio (Group of Three - G3) with Mexico and Venezuela. This free trade agreement was signed in October 1994 and contains a ten-year schedule for eliminating duties on most goods.
-Mercado Com·n del Caribe û CARICOM. This agreement was signed 
in 1973 and is formed by 13 Caribbean countries: Antigua, Bahamas, Bermuda, Barbuda, Belice, Dominica, Granada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, San Cristobal & Nevis, St. Lucia, San Vicente and Trinidad Tobago.
Colombia and Venezuela are negotiating the establishment of a regional Free Trade Zone with the member nations of the Central American Common Market. This agreement would open the door for a South American Free Trade Zone between the Andean Group and Mercosur as of year 2000.
Since January 1996 all imports and sales of office products transacted in Colombian are subject to a 16 percent value-added tax (IVA). This tax is assessed on the CIF value (in Colombian pesos) plus the import tariff.
Following are import tariffs for selected office supply products:
Tariff Description
Schedule
3215.90.90 Printing inks, whether or not concentrated or
 solid (15% duty assessed on KGM)
9612.10.00 Other typewriter, printers or similar ribbons
 (20% duty)
4821.90.00 Paper and paperboard labels of all kinds,
 Whether or not printed or gummed (15% duty)
9608.10.10 Ballpoint pens (20% duty)
9608.20.00 Felt tipped and others porous-tipped pen and
 markers (20% duty assessed on dozen)
3506.10.00 Glues and adhesives (15% duty)
3926.10.00 Office and/or school supplies (20% duty)
9609.10.00 Pencils (20% duty assessed on dozen)
4820.10.00 Registers, accounting books, notebooks,
 order books, receipt books, letter pads,
 memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles (20%
 duty)
4806 Tracing papers, glassine, and other glazed
 transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets (10% duty assessed per KGM)
4806.10.00 Vegetable parchment/greaseproof papers
  (20% duty assessed per KGM)
4817.10.00 Paper and paperboard envelops (20% duty
 assessed per KGM)
4817.20.00 Other paper and paperboard letter cards,
 Plain post cards and corresponding cards used for  printing and writing purposes (20% duty)
4823.51.00 Other printed, embossed or perforated gummed
 or adhesive paper, in strip or rolls - cut to size
 and shape (20% duty)
9612 Ribbons for typewriters, printers or similar
 ribbons (20% duty)
8472.90.40 Hole punchers/staplers (5% duty)
8472.90.90.90 Other office machines such as mail
 folding and sorting, for inserting envelopes on bands, closing or sealing mail, for affixing or canceling postage stamps & pencil sharpeners (15% duty)
9609.20.00 Refills for ballpoint pens (20% duty assessed
 per 1000 units)
 
2. Distribution Business Practices
 
Both locally manufactured and imported office products are sold hrough wholesalers, hypermarkets, supermarket chains, departmentstores, ffice product suppliers or cooperatives to final end-users. Some well known wholesalers focus their marketing efforts on the medium and small ized retail stores and supermarkets. There is little competition between arge and small office suppliers because their target markets and sales objective are different.
 
Most local hypermarkets/supermarket and department store networks have organized their own import departments, and very often, prefer to import directly. Nevertheless, direct importing is a decreasing practice in this sector due to the fact that cargo consolidation in the import process represents a significant reduction in the transportation cost. 
Distribution channels can be described as follows: 
-Local manufacturer/importer, to wholesaler/distributor, to hypermarket, supermarket chains (mass market), to office suppliers. However, wholesalers are now focusing their marketing efforts on the inland medium and smaller cities. Colombia has approximately 25 cities of about half a million inhabitants. 
 
Wholesaler/distributor to stationery shops and cooperatives.
Hypermarket/department and chain stores to final end-user (mainly
small companies and individuals).
 
Office product supplier to end-users (mainly large and medium sized companies) Stationery shops and cooperatives to final end-users. The factory and/or import prices of some office products may increase up to 60 percent in the several stages of the sales network in Colombia. Mark up (intermediary margins) at the various stages of distribution may fluctuate as follows:
Regular Mark up
Hypermarkets 12 - 15 percent
Retailer 15 - 20 percent
Wholesaler Distributor 18 - 20 percent
Department Stores 25 û 35 percent
 
Sales terms are usually 30 days with special discounts of 5 or 6
percent based on volume and prompt payment.
For imported products it is a common practice to pay with letter
of credits, payable within schedules set in the transaction and
shown in the corresponding import registration form.
A well-scheduled promotional campaign must be designed to assure effective positioning in the market. Suggested promotion methods are: sales visits, advertising in mass media, such as newspapers, local magazines and radio and TV, and offering special value packages. A recent survey on the effectiveness of the media in reaching Colombian families indicated that 82 percent of the people surveyed had watched TV, 75 percent had listened to radio programs, 41% read newspaper and 55% read magazines. Department stores publish their own magazine during the initiation of the two school year terms-February and September. Also during special dates such as Easter, MotherÆs Day, FatherÆs Day, Saint Valentines Day (September), and Christmas .
 
3. Financing
 
In general, most imports of office supplies are paid via irrevocable letters of credit. Methods, terms, and conditions of payment vary with the type of credit. Most imports of equipment are paid via irrevocable letter of credit, payable on sight against shipping documents. Most of them are valid for 180 days.
The letter of credit replaces the exporters credit risk with that of the issuing bank. 
 
Colombia imposes no foreign exchange controls on trading. However, exchange regulations require that the following transactions are channeled through intermediaries (i.e., banks or other recognized financial institutions) authorized for such 
purposes:
- Imports and exports of goods;
- External loans and related financing costs;
- Investment of capital from abroad and remittances of profits
thereon;
- Investment of Colombian capital abroad, as well as
remittances of yields; and
- Endorsements and guarantees in foreign countries.
 
Normal payment term is 60 days. There are transactional cases in which suppliers may extend terms to 90-120 days by time draft,but this is not common practice. When a satisfactory trade relationship has been established, terms are those generally applied in international trade. Short-term is considered any term less than one year; medium-term is from one to three years, and long-term ranges from five years up to twenty years or more.
On October 21, 1995, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12978 entitled "Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions with Significant Narcotics Traffickers", which blocks all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which there is any interest of four principal members of the Cali drug cartel. In addition, the order blocks the property and interest in property of persons determined to play a significant role in international narcotics trafficking centered in Colombia or determined to materially assist in or provide financial or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, the narcotics trafficking activities of persons designated in the Order. It is illegal for U.S. persons to buy, sell, trade, give away or otherwise engage in transactions involving persons and companies designated pursuant to the Order, who are referred to as SDNT's (Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers). A list of the names of such Perso ns and companies is available from the Office of Foreign
Assets Control/OFAC, Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C.
27220, Tel:(202)622-2520,or via Internet
http://www.ustreas.gov/treasury/services/fac/fac.html, or from
the Political/Economic Section of the American Embassy in Bogota,
Tel: (571) 315-2129.
4. Key Contacts
RELATED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
DANE /DEPARTAMENTO ADMINISTRATIVO NACIONAL DE ESTADISTICA
(National Bureau of Statistics)
Contacts: Rene Verswyvel-Villamizar, Director General
 Javier Garcia-Caviedez, Director Banco de Datos
Avenida El Dorado, CAN
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Tel: (571) 222-1100/222-2363
Fax: (571) 222-2305
DIRECCION DE IMPUESTOS Y ADUANAS NACIONALES-DIAN
(INTERNAL REVENUE AND CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION)
Contacts: Fanny Kertzman, Director
Guillermo Fino-Serrano, Director, Income Tax Bureau
Ricardo Ramirez-Acuna, Director of Customs
Carrera 7A No. 6-45
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 297-1220/284-3400
Fax: (571) 286-5789
INSTITUTO COLOMBIANO DE COMERCIO EXTERIOR-INCOMEX
(COLOMBIAN FOREIGN TRADE INSTITUTE)
Contact: Maria Uriza-Pardo, Director
Calle 28 No. 13A-15
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 281-2200/283-3304
Fax: (571) 281-2560
INSTITUTO COLOMBIANO DE NORMAS TECNICAS-ICONTEX
(COLOMBIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL NORMS)
Contact: Fabio Tobon-Londo±o, Director
Carrera 37 No. 52-95
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 315-0377
Fax: (571) 222-1435
SUPERINTENDENCIA BANCARIA (SUPERINTENDENCY OF BANKS)
Contact: Sara Ordonez-Noriega, Superintendent
Calle 7 No. 4-49
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 280-0280/-0187
Fax: (571) 280-0187
SUPERINTENDENCIA DE INDUSTRIA Y COMERCIO
(INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE SUPERINTENDENCY)
Contact: Emilio-Jose Archila-Pe±alosa, Superintendent
Carrera 13 No. 27-00, P5
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 334-1221/334-2035
Fax: (571) 281-3950
PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATIONS
ANALDEX / ASOCIACION NACIONAL DE EXPORTADORES
(National Association of Exporters)
Contact: Javier Diaz-Molina, President
Carrera 10a. No. 27-27
Edificio Bachue, Interior 137
Santafe de Bogota, Colombia
Tel: (571) 342-0788
Fax: (571) 284-6911
ASOCIACION NACIONAL DE INDUSTRIALES-ANDI
(National Association of Industrialists)
Contacts: Luis-Carlos Villegas-Echeverry, President
Hernan Puyo, Vicepresident Foreign Trade
Carrera 13 No 26-45 P. 5 y 6
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 281-0600
Fax: (571) 281-3188
CAMARA DE COMERCIO COLOMBO-AMERICANA-COLAMCHAM
(Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce)
Contact: Joseph Finnin, Executive Director
Calle 98 No. 22-64 Piso 12
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 621-5042/621-5242/621-7925
Fax: (571) 621-6838
CAMARA DE COMERCIO DE BOGOTA
(Bogota Chamber of Commerce)
Contacts: German Jaramillo-Rojas, President
Maria-Fernanda Campo, Executive Vicepresident
Carrera 9 No. 16-21
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 334-7900
Fax: (571) 284-8506/284-7540
CONFEDERACION COLOMBIANA DE CAMARAS DE COMERCIO-CONFECAMARAS
(Colombian Federation of Chambers of Commerce)
Contact: Eugenio Marulanda, Executive President
Carrera 13 No. 27-47, Of. 502
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 288-1200
Fax: (571) 288-4228
CONSEJO DE EMPRESAS AMERICANAS-CEA
(Council of U.S. Companies Operating in Colombia)
Contact: Jaime Lizarralde, Executive Director
Carrera 13 No. 93-40 Of. 207
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 623-3018
Fax: (571) 623-3189
FEDERACION NACIONAL DE COMERCIANTES-FENALCO
(NATIONAL MERCHANTS FEDERATION)
Carrera 4 No. 19-85, Piso 7
Contact: Sabas Pretelt-de-la-Vega, President
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 286-0600/283-3326
Fax: (571) 282-7573
DISTRIBUTORS
(1) HYPERMARKETS
ALKOSTO
Contact: Luis-Alberto Yepes-Velasquez, General Manager
Avenida 68 Calle 68
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 630-5858/630-5868
Fax: (571) 630-5880
ALMACENES EXITO S.A.
Contact: Gonzalo Restrepo, President
Carrera 48 No. 32B-Sur-139 (Headquarters Office)
Medellin, Colombia
Tel: (574) 331-0544
Fax: (574) 331-4792
CARREFOUR
Contact: Renatto Minuzzi, General Manager
Avenida 15 No. 106-57 P4
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 523-0030
Fax: (571) 523-0344
CARULLA & CIA. S.A.
Contact: Jorge Carulla-Soler, President
Carrera 68-D No.21-35
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 411-4288/292-4555
Fax: (571) 411-4194
MAKRO
Contact: Antonio Colmenares, President
Carrera 39 No. 193-63 (Autopista Norta Calle 193)
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 678-1616
Fax: (571) 678-1616
OLIMPICA AUTOPISTA NORTE
Contact: William Contreras, General Manager
Autopista Norte Kilometro 21
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 676-1591/-1592/-1593
Fax: (571) 676-2054
SURTIMAX
Contact: Guillermo Franco, General Manager
Carrera 65 NO. 17-18
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 262-7309/-5250
Fax: (571) 262-4814
(2) SUPERMARKETS/DEPARTMENT STORES
ALMACENES COMISARIATO VIVERO S.A.
Contact: Alberto Azout-Zafrani, President
Carrera 71 No. 77-72
Barranquilla, Atlβntico - Colombia
Tel: (5758) 564-333
Fax: (5758) 561-937
ALMACEN LOS TRES ELEFANTES
Contact: Jorge E. Arango Mendez, Purchase Manager
Calle 35A No. 73-80
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 263-4800
Fax: (571) 295-3957
ALMACENES MAXIMO
Contact: Moises Chehebar, President
Carrera 106 No. 15-25 Int. 9 Zona Franca Fontibon
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 439-5478/-80/-81
Fax: (571) 439-5490
ALMACENES TIA LTDA.
Contact: Oscar Stein, General Manager
Calle 73 No. 10-83 Torre C Piso 5
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 210-1866
Fax: (571) 212-2974
ALMACENES YEP
Contact: Manuel Yepes, General Manager
Avenida Boyaca (Cra. 72) No. 67-75
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 438-2411
Fax: (571) 224-3489
CADENALCO - LEY/SUPERLEY
Contacts: German Jaramillo-Olano, President
Pedro Zuliani-Satti, Purchasing & Marketing Vice President
Calle 30A No. 65B-57 (HQ Office)
Medellin, Antioquia - Colombia
Tel: (574) 265-1515
Fax: (574) 235-6196
CAJA COLOMBIANA DE SUBSIDIO FAMILIAR-COLSUBSIDIO
Contact: Patricia Zamudio, Marketing Assistant Director
Calle 26 No. 25-50
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 343-1899
Fax: (571) 340-2690
CAJA DE COMPENSACION FAMILIAR-CAFAM
Contact: Miguel-Eduardo Gonzalez, Marketing Assistant Director
Transversal 48 No. 94-97
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 617-6400 Ext. 2605
Fax: (571) 271-6916
COMERCIALIZADORA DE COLECCIONES S.A.-ISERRA
Contact: Armando Serrano-Pinto, General Manager
Carrera 28A No. 14-87
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 277-2600
Fax: (571) 277-9990
FEBOR
Contact: Gustavo A. Garcia, General Manaager
Calle 63A No. 16-43 Piso 5
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 312-5711
Fax: (571) 217-7347
SUPERTIENDAS OLIMPICA S.A.
Contact: Gustavo Visbal-Galofre, General Manager
Carrera 36 No. 38-03 (Principal Office)
Barranquilla, Atlantico - Colombia
Tel: (5758) 351-6549
Fax: (5758) 351-0263
ZODIMAC DE COLOMBIA
Contact: Mauricio Guzman-Leyva, General Manager
Avenida Eldorado No. 89-15
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 295-9911
Fax: (571) 295-4405
(3) IMPORTERS/RETAILERS
BANCO DE SUMINISTROS & SERVICIOS LTDA.
Contact: Siervo Lopez Abril, Gerente General
Carrera 36 No.29-19
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 344-0365
Fax: (571) 244-1566
GUILLETE DE COLOMBIA S.A.
Contact: Fabio Marulanda, General Manager
Calle 55 No. 1N-45
Cali, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 446-4407
Fax: (572) 446-4415
HERRERA RICAURTE & CIA.
Contact: Beatriz Herrera, General Manager
Calle 69 No. 7-47
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 212-4845/211-7393
Fax: (571) 212-4950/235-7803
INVERSIONES C&E LTDA.
Contact: Clara-Ines Ramirez-Romero, General Manager
Carrera 7a. No. 70A-07
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 255-5970/-4520
Fax: (571) 235-178
INDUSTRIAL GIOTO
Contact: Jorge Mojica, General Manager
Calle 23A No. 18-10
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 336-2843/342-7440
Fax: (571) 284-3052
INTERPAL LTDA.
Contact: Alter Himelsarb, General Manager
Carrera 62 No. 9A-40
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 290-7001/290-6637
Fax: (571) 262-4634
K. A. WEISS LTDA.
Contact: Octavio Belalcazar, General Manager
Avenida 39 No. 14-34
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 288-0558/338-3125
Fax: (571) 288-0536
OFFICE DEPOT
Contact: Ricardo Cortes, General Manager
Avenida 68 No. 75A-50 L171-172
Santaf&thetas; de Bogotβ, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 311-8088
Fax: (571) 250-4777
OFIMARKET
Contact: Luis-Enrique Arango, General Manager
Carrera 23 No. 72A-61
Santaf&thetas; de Bogotβ, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 310-7240
Fax: (571) 217-0560
PANAMERICANA LTDA. (Largest retailer of office/school supplies)
Contact: Carlos F. Ruiz, General Manager
Calle 12 No. 34-20
Santaf&thetas; de Bogotβ, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 360-3077/277-0100 Fax: (571) 277-3599
PAPELERIA ARANGO
Contact: Guillermo Arango, Manager
Calle 13 No. 5-76
Cali, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 884-4106
Fax: (572) 883-1718
PAPELERIA ARQUITECNICA
Contact: Stella Escobar-Mejia, Gerente General
Calle 9 No. 43A-21 Centro Commercial Aliadas Local 13
Medellin, Antioquia - Colombia
Tel: (574) 268-6521/-6410
Fax: (574) 268-6410
PAPELERIA ATENAS
Contact: Orlando Vβsquez, General Manager
Calle 9 No. 6-84
Cali, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 880-5548
Fax: (572) 883-1540
PAPELERIA CARDENAS LTDA.
Contact: Juan Manuel Cardenas, General Manager
Carrera 19 No. 71A-23
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 235-0409/249-5002
Fax: (571) 310-3797
PAPELERIA CATI
Contact: Carlos-Julio Castrillon, General Manager
Carrera 3 No. 14-20
Cali, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 883-9802
Fax: (572) 883-9804
PAPELERIA CENTRAL DE SAN VICTORINO
Contact: German Franco, Administrador
Carrera 12A No. 10-89
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 334-5725
Fax: (571) 342-3306
PAPELERIA CLASS LTDA.
Contact: Lucia Giraldo, Manager
Calle 39A No. 28-13 Of. 201
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 268-1905/268-5266
Fax: (571) 368-5262
PAPELERIA D'MARCA LTDA.
Contact: Carlos Alberto Valenzuela, Manager
Calle 11 No. 28-02
Santaf&thetas; de Bogotβ, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 277-3497
Fax: (571) 277-3512
PAPELERIA DEL CENTRO
Contact: Fabio Castellanos, General Manager
Carrera 13 No. 11-58
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 284-5796/286-1101
Fax: (571) 283-5043 / 284-5062
PAPELERIA GUMAHER & CIA. LTDA.
Contact: Jose Ignacio Gutierrez, General Manager
Calle 13 No. 27-39 Int.4 Of.207
Santaf&thetas; de Bogotβ, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 201-0277
Fax: (571) 237-5240
PAPELERIA IDEAL
Contact: Hernando Ariza, General Manager
Calle 23 No. 40-37
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 269-5864
Fax: (571) 268-1007
PAPELERIA JAMAR LTDA.
Contact: Edilberto Gutierrez, Manager
Carrera 67 No. 55-54
Santaf&thetas; de Bogotβ, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 416-1077
Fax: (571) 548-3129
PAPELERIA LA 37
Contact: Carlos J. Insignares, Manager
Barranquilla, Atlantico - Colombia
Calle 37 No. 43-52
Tel: (575) 341-7052
Fax: (575) 341-7052
PAPELERIA MARTE
Contact: Mario Giraldo-Hoyos, General Manager
Carrera 5 No. 40-25
Cali, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 444-1340
Fax: (572) 448-2114
PAPELERIA MERCANTIL
Contact: Carlos A. Correa, General Manager
Calle 13 No. 8-27 Of.214
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 283-7108
Fax: (571) 342-1701
PAPELERIA MONACO
Contact: Marco A. Pachon, General Manager
Carrera 129 No. 29-57 Int.12
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 418-1077
Fax: (571) 418-1077
PAPELERIA NACIONAL
Contact: Ramon E. Gomez, Manager
Carrera 9 No. 11-15
Cali, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 880-4819
Fax: (572) 885-8426
PAPELERIA PAPECON LTDA.
Contact: Alvaro Diaz-Rincon, General Manager
Carrera 8 No. 15-84
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 334-5070
Fax: (571) 334-5076
PAPELERIA PLANETA LTDA.
Contact: Antonio Guerrero, Manager
Carrera 12 No. 13-40 Of.302
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 342-6175
Fax: (571) 341-8310
PAPELERIA REDOX LTDA.
Contact: Jairo Chaconne, General Manager
Calle 6 No. 13-82
Cali, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 889-0771
Fax: (572) 882-5131
PAPELERIA TODO EN ARTES LTDA.
Contact: Guillermo Ossa, Manager
Avenida La Playa No. 48-21
Medellin, Antioquia - Colombia
Tel: (574) 231-2869
Fax: (574) 412-3895
PICA-PICA LTDA.
Contact: Carlos Galeano, General Manager
Carrera 52 No. 74-76
Barranquilla, Colombia
Tel: (575) 358-4198/358-3977
Fax: (575) 356-3176
SALAMANCA LTDA.
Contact: Luis H. Salamanca, Manager
Carrera 44 No. 35-11
Barranquilla, Colombia
Tel: (575) 340-2066/340-0916
Fax: (575) 341-5810
SURTIOFICINAS LTDA
Contact: Carlos E. Gonzalez, General Manager
Via 40 No. 67-116 Int. B5
Barranquilla, Colombia
Tel: (575) 344-4317/344-2086
Fax: (575) 344-4319
(4) PAPER IMPORTERS
DISPATELEX LTDA.
Contact: Manuel Camargo
Diagonal 16 Sur No. 44-52 CC Carabelas
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 720-9677/727-0589
Fax: (571) 727-0590
PAPEL-ROLLOS LTDA.
Contact: Carlos Plazas
Calle 20 No. 32-32
Santafe de Bogota, D.C.- Colombia
Tel: (571) 269-4598/268-8736
Fax: (571) 268-7648/336-9570
PAPEL & TONER
Contact: Juan Qui±onez-Olaya, General Manager
Carrera 32 No. 90-66
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 610-6990/616-7275/-8995
Fax: (571) 610-6960
SUPAPEL S.A.
Contact: Jes·s Cort&thetas;z-Orjuela, Sales Manager
Calle 19 No. 70-45
Santafe de Bogota, D.C.-Colombia
Tel: (571) 424-2551/-2552
Fax: (571) 424-2565
UNIVERSAL DE PAPELES
Contact: Gabriel Gonzalez, General Manager
Calle 49 No. 45-49
Medellin, Colombia
Tel: (574) 251-8729/251-8727
Fax: (574) 251-8463
(5) WHOLESALERS
ALMACEN PROPACOM LTDA.
Contact: Milton Suspes, General Manager
Nelson Gonzalez, Sales Manager
Avenida Calle 6 No. 24-24
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 277-8608/201-9636
Fax: (571) 201-9106
ARQUITECTURA 76 LTDA.
Contact: Alvaro Munarris, General Manager
Carrera 49B No. 75-93
Barranquilla, Atlantico - Colombia
Tel: (575) 356-4925/358-8357
Fax: (575) 358-2185
BICO INTERNACIONAL S.A. (Subsidiary of Carvajal)
Contact: Bernardo G≤mez, Sales Manager
Avenida Eldorado No. 90-10
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 410-6066
Fax: (571) 410-1151/410-4835
CASA PAPELERA LTDA. - CASAPAL
Contact: Gerardo Alvarez, General Manager
Calle 48D No. 65A-42
Medellin, Antioquia - Colombia
Tel: (574) 260-2616
Fax: (574) 260-2616
DE BEDOUT E HIJOS SUCESORES
Contact: Carlos Ochoa, Manager
Avenida Jim&thetas;nez No. 9-47
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 243-2425/283-8310
Fax: (571) 334-7904
DIBER
Contact: Milvia de Vives, Manager
Carrera 52 No. 72-32
Barranquilla, Atlantico - Colombia
Tel: (575) 358-7900
Fax: (575) 356-7136
EMCOPAL LTDA.
Contact: Alirio G≤mez-Suarez, Manager
Carrera 44 No. 59-22
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 221-1938/221-8443
Fax: (571) 222-2423
JIMENEZ DURAN & CIA. S. en C.
Contact: Victor-Manuel Jim&thetas;nez, Manager
Calle 63C No. 24-13
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 347-4783
Fax: (571) 347-1073
OFIEXPRES (Subsidiary of Carvajal S.A. and largest office
products outsourcing provider for local companies)
Rosa Amaya de Pulido, Marketing Manager
Calle 21 No. 67-80
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 420-1099/66
Fax: (571) 413 6130
TISERRA LTDA.
Contact: Jaime Tibata-Leguizamon, Commercial Manager
Calle 22B No. 44A-23
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 344-0155
Fax: (571) 269-0195/337-7091
DOMESTIC MANUFACTURERS
3M DE COLOMBIA S.A.
Contact: Leonardo Ramirez-Garcia, General Manager
Avenida Eldorado No. 78A-93
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 416-1666 /-1655
Fax: (571) 416-1677
Local manufacturer of 3M magic and all other adhesive tapes,
label machines, business forms, adhesive post-it and dispensers,
cork board, screen filters, case organizers, view binders, report
covers, transparencies and covers, slides, and multimedia
projectors.
CLAVERIA S.A. (Proficid)
Contact: German Varela-Villegas, President
Calle 15 No. 5-100
Yumbo, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 669-4709/-4715
Fax: (572) 669-4717
Local manufacturer of El Cid products: business forms, file
folders, notebooks and binders.
DANARANJO S.A.
Contact: Alberto Alarcon-Guzman, General Manager
Carrera 68B No. 15-55
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 262-8000
Fax: (571) 290-3075
Local manufacturer of security paper and forms such as stamps, check books, bonds, securities, stocks, CDS, and other business forms. Printing and design of telephone books (white and yellow pages), also printing of lotto tickets. 
FESA S.A. (Subsidiary of Carvajal S.A.)
Contact: Jose-Luis Medina, General Manager
Avenida Eldorado No. 90-10
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 410-6766
Fax: (571) 263-5565
Local manufacturer of Fesa chemical and security paper, credit
cards, and business forms. Also wholesaler of "Norma" binders,
report covers, paper blocks, envelopes, folders, labels, indexes
and dividers, case organizers, magazine files, stamps and pad
inkers, printer and typewriter ribbons. "OfiNorma" A-Z files,
folders, binders, report covers, covers, magazine files, note
books, and transparencies.
FORMATEC LTDA.
Contact: David Muirgher, General Manager
Carrera 31A No. 10-50 ACOPI
Yumbo, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 666-4000/-4012
Fax: (572) 666-4024
In Santafe de Bogota:
Contact: Jesus Beltran-Polo, General Manager
Calle 81 No. 62-70 Local 36
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 310-8851/630-2668
Fax: (571) 630-2001
Local manufacturer of "Formatec" business and other forms,
photocopy paper, and bar code stickers.
FORTECO (FORMAS TECNICAS CONTINUAS)
Contact: Ariel-Antonio Moreno-Campo, General Manager
Carrera 92 No. 62-21
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 224-5090/223-2804
Fax: (571) 223-2887
Local manufacturer of "Forteco" printing and business forms for
computers, adhesive labels, and security paper.
GENERAL METALICA & CIA. S. en C.
Contact: Juan-Carlos Schader, General Manager
Carrera 38 No. 11-25 ACOPI
Cali, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 664-5555
Fax: (572) 664-7275
Local manufacturer of "Wingo" and "Gema" clips, industrial and
office staplers/staples.
IBERICA LTDA.
Contact: William Martin-Mejia, General Manager
Calle 13 No. 32-82
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 201-5888
Fax: (571) 201-2275
Local manufacturer of folders, case organizers, view binders,
report covers, and bond paper.
INDUSTRIAS KORES S.A.
Contact: Walter Knudsen, General Manager
Carrera 43 No. 20-09
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 368-3266
Fax: (571) 368-0786
Local manufacturer of typewriter/printer ribbons and correction
tapes. They are also importers of carbon paper and paper for
stencils and plotters.
LEGAFANM (OFILINEAS)
Contact: Fernando Adolfo Triana Navarrete, General Manager
Calle 23BN No. 5N-16
Cali, Valle - Colombia
Tel: (572) 663-2036
Fax: (572) 663-2009
Local manufacturers of "Legafanm" folders, file folders (hanging)
and case organizers.
LEGIS (LEGISLACION ECONOMICA S.A.)
Contacts: Jairo Pinz≤n , Commercial Manager
Avenida Eldorado No. 81-10
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 410-0899/263-4100
Fax: (571) 295-2650
Local manufacturer of Minerva commercial and business forms, note
books, specialized calendars-appointment books, business code
stickers, Colombian Legal Codes (refill system) and specialized
directories by industries. They are also importers of binders,
report covers, tab guides (A-Z), hole punches, fasteners,
expanding folders, ring binders, organizers and staplers.
LELLER LTDA.
Contact: Jorge Mejia, General Manager
Carrera 63 No. 17-36
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 262-4888
Fax: (571) 260-5383
Local manufacturer of "Leller" binders, report covers, A-Z
folders, and business forms. They also distribute a full line of
office/school supplies.
LOGOFORMAS S.A.
Contact: Julio-Cesar Rodriguez-Pinzon, General Manager
Calle 18 No. 69-76
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 292-2566
Fax: (571) 292-5823
Local Manufacturers of "Logoformas" business forms and security
paper.
LUNARANJO & CIA.
Contacts: Jos&thetas;-Luis Naranjo-Cruz, President
Adolfo Jones, General Manager
Carrera 60 No. 4-24
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 262-6960/-6674
Fax: (571) 262-8489
Local Manufacturers of "Dise±o" note books, paper blocks, gift
wrapping paper, and invoices. They also distribute a full line
of office/school supplies.
MULTIEMPASTE LTDA.
Contact: Orlando Rodriguez, General Manager
Avenida Carrera 19 No. 2-31
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 289-0449
Fax: (571) 337-0529
Local manufacturers of "Multiempaste" accounting books, business
cards, case organizers, binders, report covers, index and
dividers, files and other types of folders.
NESSAN
Contact: N&thetas;stor Sanchez-Balaguera, General Manager
Carrera 128 No. 21-30
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 413-1811/267-8419
Fax: (571) 413-0574
Local manufacturers of "Nessan" decorated sheets and other
special writing paper, cards, and covers.
NEWELL SANFORD S.A. (Formerly: Berol S.A. and Eagle Pencil Co.)
Contacts: Luis B. Escobar, General Manager
Octavio L≤pez, Sales Manager
Claudia Moreno, Marketing Manager
Autopista Sur No. 59A-91
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 270-0200/230-8802
Fax: (571) 230-7501
Local manufacturer of "Magicolor", "Carnaval", "Colorific" and
"Recreo" color pencils and crayons; "Prismacolor" poster paints,
watercolors, color pencils and plastilines. "Berol", "Mirado"
and "Sanford" pencils, markers, hi-liters, and erasers.
"Turquesa"erasers and rulers.
OFIESCOLARES S. A.
Contact: Jorge Urdaneta, General Manager
Calle 71A No. 22-14
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 346-5611/-6276
Fax: (571) 346-6290
Local manufacturers and exporters of Globo pads, notebooks, and
bond paper.
PELIKAN (PRODUCTORES INDUSTRI LTDA.)
Contact: Hans Joecker, General Manager
Carrera 65B No. 19-17
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 261-1711
Fax: (571) 290-5550
Local manufacturers of "Pelikan" markers, hi-liters, liquid
paper, stamp and pad inkers, erasers, vinyls, crayons, dry ink
markers for board, erasers for dry ink, watercolors, poster
paints, and most categories of school supplies. They are also
importers of Rotring rapidographs, stylographs, ball-point pens,
sliding pencils, and inks.
TROMETAL
Contact: Bernardo Mesa-Ruiz, General Manager
Carrera 35 No. 4B-60
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 277-9332/27/201-8198
Fax: (571) 201-7188
Local manufacturer of hole punches, staplers, staple removers,
and binders for continuous forms.
SUMINISTROS IGSO LTDA.
Contact: Jos&thetas;-Ignacio Guti&thetas;rrez, General Manager
Carrera 61 No. 74-92
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 630-5266/250-4739
Fax: (571) 231-8721
Local manufacturer of "Disformas"A-Z folders/files & paper pads
XEROX
Contact: Fernando Gallo, General Manager
Avenida Eldorado No. 61-96
Santaf&thetas; de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 416-0055
Fax: (571) 263-9961
Local manufacturers of "Xerox: letter and legal size bond paper
(60-75gr.) and transparencies. Importer of photocopiers and
printer supplies.
PUBLICATIONS SUITABLE FOR ADVERTISING
CAMARA DE COMERCIO COLOMBO AMERICANA
(Colombian American Chamber of Commerce)
Contact: Joseph Finnin, Executive Director
Calle 98 No. 22-64 Piso 12
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 621-5042/621-0073
Fax: (571) 621-6838
-Publishes: Who's Who of Colombian-American Business
 (annually)
EL TIEMPO
(Most important Colombian newspaper)
Contact: Jaime Segura
Elba Lucia Daza (Advertising Department)
Avenida El Dorado No. 59-70
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 294-0100 Ext. 2284
Fax: (571) 410-5088
-Publishes: specialized supplements in early June and December.
Contact in Miami: Charney Palacios
Tel: (305) 670-9450
Fax: (305) 442-4741
EL ESPECTADOR
(Second most important Colombian newspaper)
Contact: Daisy Ramirez, Marketing Director
Avenida 68 No. 23-71
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 294-5555
Fax: (571) 290-6060/260-6648
-Publishes: Quarterly specialized supplements
Contact in Miami:
Luis Alberto Cano
Tel: (954) 384-2249
Fax: (954) 384-9102
PUBLICAR S.A.
Contact: Fabio Cabal, President
Avenida 68 No. 75-A-50
Centro Comercial Metropolis (Pisos 2,3 y 4)
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 225-5555
Fax: (571) 225-4015/ 225-3811
-Publishes: The Yellow Pages of most Telephone directories in
Colombia.
REVISTA ALO
Contact: Alvaro Guerra, General Manager
carrera 69 No. 43 B 44 p. 4
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 426-6550
Fax: (571) 416-5643
-Publishes weekly magazine and quarterly specialized editions.
REVISTA CROMOS
Contact: Gonzalo Cordoba-Mallarino, Director
Calle 70A No. 7-81
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 217-4800/217-1774
Fax: (571) 211-2642
-Publishes weekly magazine.
REVISTA DINERS
Contact: Gustavo Casadiego, General Manager
 Martha Gaitan, Editor
Carrera 10 No. 64-65 Piso 3
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 346-0800
Fax: (571) 212-8931
-Publishes monthly magazine.
REVISTA SEMANA
Contact: Angela Montoya de Mora, Director
Calle 93 B No. 13-47
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 622-2277/622-2288
Fax: (571) 621-0475
-Publishes weekly magazine

Trade Promotion Opportunities

Trade missions and/or catalog shows are an excellent way to promote U.S. products and services and to demonstrate new developments and techniques. The Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce organizes International Buyers Groups (IBG) to attend selected U.S. trade shows. This is a cost effective way of promoting U.S. products to international buyers, since they can go to one place and see a wide range of products. 
 
Currently CAFAM (a social benefit fund) organizes two school fairs during the pre-school initiation period (Jan-Feb and Aug-Sept). For further information on this event, firms should contact:
CAJA DE COMPENSACION FAMILIAR-CAFAM
Contact: Miguel-Eduardo Gonzalez, Marketing Assistant Director
Transversal 48 No. 94-97
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Tel: (571) 617-6400 Ext. 2605
Fax: (571) 271-6916
 An excellent venue for U.S. manufacturers/exporters of office supplies is the Bogota International Trade Fair. It is scheduled for year 2000. This event is a biennial exposition of capital goods, industrial equipment and a great variety of "Made in USA" products. The Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce has coordinated the United States Pavilion since 1992. For additional information on how to take part in this event, interested firms should contact:
CAMARA DE COMERCIO COLOMBO AMERICANA (COLAMCHAM)
(Colombian American Chamber of Commerce)
Joseph Finnin, Executive Director
Santafe de Bogota, D.C. - Colombia
Calle 98 No. 22-64 Piso 12
Telephone: (571) 621-5042/(571) 621-0073
Fax: (571) 621-6838
E-mail:73050.3127@compuserve.com
ISA Customer Satisfaction Survey
 U.S. Department of Commerce
  * International Trade Administration*
 The Commercial Service
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The U.S. Department of Commerce would appreciate input from U.S.
businesses that have used this ISA report in conducting export
market research. Please take a few moments to complete the
attached survey and fax it to 202/482-0973, mail it to QAS,
Rm. 2002, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230, or
Email: Internet[Opfer@doc.gov].
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* * * About Our Service * * *
1. Country covered by report: _______________________________
Commerce domestic office that assisted you (if applicable):
________________________________________________________
2. How did you find out about the ISA service?
 __Direct mail
 __Recommended by another firm
 __Recommended by Commerce staff
 __Trade press
 __State/private newsletter
 __Department of Commerce newsletter
 __Other (specify): _______________________________
3. Please indicate the extent to which your objectives were
 satisfied:
 1-Very satisfied 2-Satisfied
 3-Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
 4-Dissatisfied 5-Very dissatisfied
 6-Not applicable
 __Overall objectives
 __Accuracy of information
 __Completeness of information
 __Clarity of information
 __Relevance of information
 __Delivery when promised
 __Follow-up by Commerce representative
4. In your opinion, did using the ISA service facilitate any of
 the following?
 __Decided to enter or increase presence in market
 __Developed an export marketing plan
 __Added to knowledge of country/industry
 __Corroborated market data from other sources
 __Decided to bypass or reduce presence in market
 __Other (specify): _______________________________
5. How likely would you be to use the ISA service again?
 __Definitely would
 __Probably would
 __Unsure
 __Probably would not
 __Definitely would not
6. Comments:
________________________________________________________
* * * About Your Firm * * *
1. Number of employees: __1-99 __100-249 __250-499
 __500-999 __1,000+
2. Location (abbreviation of your state only):______
3. Business activity (check one):
 __Manufacturing
 __Service
 __Agent, broker, manufacturer's representative
 __Export management or trading company
 __Other (specify):_______________________________
4. Export shipments over the past 12 months:
 __0-1 __2-12 __13-50 __51-99 __100+
May we call you about your experience with the ISA service?
Company name: _______________________________________________
Contact name: _______________________________________________
Phone: ______________________________________________________
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 Thank you--we value your input!
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This report is authorized by law (15 U.S.C. 1512 et seq., 15
U.S.C. 171 et seq.). While you are not required to respond, your
cooperation is needed to make the results of this evaluation
comprehensive, accurate, and timely. Public reporting burden for
this collection of information is estimated to average ten
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing the burden, to Reports
Clearance Officer, International Trade Administration, Rm. 4001,
U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230, and to the Office
of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0625-0217), Washington, D.C.
20503.
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FORM ITA 4130P-I (rev. 5/95)
OMB. No. 0625-0217; Expires 12/31/98