United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), BioTrade Facilitation Programme (2005-2006)
The production of tropical flowers (mainly Heliconias, Gingers, Strelitzias and Calatheas) and foliage is increasing strongly in Colombia. Most farms have planted or are in the course of expanding their cultivated area. As a result, the supply of tropical flowers has increased strongly over the past few years.
As part of UNCTAD’s BTFP export promotion programme for tropical flowers and foliage, two identification missions have been carried out to assess the current situation of the sector, give recommendations for further programme activities and to select companies suitable for further participation in the programme.
Besides company visits, four workshops were held in Cali, Pereira, Medellin and Bogotá.
The main objective of the export promotion programme was to support development of exports of tropical flowers and native foliage in Antioquia, Cundinamarca, El Eje Cafetero and El Valle del Cauca.
The missions were carried out in close collaboration with UNCTAD’s Colombian counterparts in Colombia: the Alexander von Humboldt Institute and Proexport Colombia.