Tradeology, the ITA Blog

Ken Hyatt is the Acting Under Secretary for the International Trade Administration

Brazil has always represented a major part of my policy portfolio at the Department of Commerce. I am now particularly honored to be here to participate in the Department of Commerce’s third annual Health IT Trade Mission.

Ken Hyatt, Acting Under Secretary for ITA

Eight innovative U.S. health IT companies (including UnitedHealth, 3M, and Oracle), as well as Keck School of Medicine of USC, are participating in this trade mission, which runs from September 26 to 30. They are learning firsthand about opportunities in the Brazilian healthcare sector, while showcasing innovative technologies with Brazilian government policymakers, regulators, and hospital CEO’s and CIO’s, as well as other industry leaders.

The major focus of this trade mission was the Hospital Innovation Show, the preeminent health technology innovation show in Latin America. The show provided an opportunity to share the most advanced health technology solutions and practices, including value-based care, precision medicine, population health management, patient engagement, health data interoperability, analytics, and mobile health. I had the honor of both delivering the keynote address as well as participating in the signature symposium, “Building a 21st Century Healthcare System.”

The trade mission also provided an opportunity to understand and explain why the U.S. and Brazil should deepen its healthcare partnership. One reason is the incredible opportunities in the global healthcare market, driven by the fact that the global middle class will more than double by 2030, which will increase demand for quality healthcare products and services. Another reason is our shared healthcare challenges. Both the U.S. and Brazil will have to contend with a future defined by higher healthcare costs, while dependency ratios will continue to rise in both countries as our populations live longer.

We also have to take on complex global health challenges, namely the Zika virus as the most pressing challenge. Over the past year, the U.S. and Brazil have held high-level discussions to cooperate on the fight against Zika, and recently the U.S. Government announced it would contribute US$3 million to expand Brazil’s vaccine production capability.

All of this means that our public sectors need to create the environment where our health innovator communities can continue to exchange ideas and collaborate; where participants in our integrated supply chains can continue to work effectively and efficiently; and where our healthcare goods and services can continue flow freely in both directions. Because of the work we have achieved under the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue, we have already taken steps to create that environment.

The United States is committed to a strong and dynamic relationship with Brazil, and I believe we can continue to strengthen this relationship through greater trade and investment. I would encourage all companies that are interested in doing business in Brazil to reach out to the U.S. Commercial Service in Brazil to find out how they can help you capitalize on commercial opportunities in the healthcare space in market. You can find out more information here.

Judy Lao is a Trade Facilitation Officer for Argentina, Brazil & Central America in the International Trade Administration’s Office of Western Hemisphere. This post contains external links. Please review our external linking policy

Brazil implements ATA Carnet, allowing duty-free imports of certain goods for temporary entry

Recently showcased on the international stage, Brazil is not only a worldwide cultural champion, but it’s also a gold-medal trading partner for the United States. U.S. goods exported to Brazil totaled $31.2 billion in 2015, and U.S. services exported totaled $28 billion in 2014 – making Brazil the United States’ tenth-largest global trading partner last year.

Corcovado mountains in Brazil

Working with the private sector and the Brazilian government through the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue, the International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce has encouraged Brazil to adopt and implement the temporary entry program known as ATA Carnet.

ATA Carnets are international customs documents that allow certain goods to temporarily enter signatory countries tax- and duty-free. Also known as “Merchandise Passports,” Carnets allow for temporary duty-free imports of goods generally qualified for use in trade shows or as commercial samples and professional equipment. After ten years of advocating for U.S. industry, the U.S. Department Commerce welcomed the news that on June 28 of this year that Brazil began accepting ATA Carnets for professional equipment and items used at trade shows.

Prior to Brazil’s acceptance of ATA Carnet, the goods and supplies that U.S. companies needed to promote products or carry out services in Brazil in these circumstances could have been subject to customs duties and relevant taxes despite their eventual return to the United States. Brazil’s acceptance of the ATA Carnet eliminates the customs duty and relevant taxes, saving U.S. companies money and increasing business potential.

The U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB) administers the ATA Carnet system in the United States, serving as the national guaranteeing association, issuing nearly 20,000 Carnets per year.  The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) serves the same function in Brazil. U.S. and Brazilian customs authorities process the Carnets in their respective countries.

“This is fantastic news,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson. “Brazil is one of America’s largest trade partners, and we are delighted to welcome Brazil as the newest member of the ATA Carnet family. We look forward to working with CNI as our counterpart national guaranteeing association in Brazil to further expand trade between our countries.”

To learn more about the ATA Carnet and its potential business benefits visit the trade services section of USCIB’s website at www.uscib.org. The ITA works to strengthen the international competitiveness of U.S. industry, promoting trade and investment, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. To learn more about how the International Trade Administration’s services can support U.S. exports visit our website at www.trade.gov.

Steven Armendariz is an  Intern at the Colombia Desk at the International Trade Administration

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After decades of civil unrest, the Colombian government reached a ceasefire with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on June 23, 2016. The ceasefire deal was the last major step in reaching a final peace agreement, expected by the second half of August, according to Colombia’s Minister of Post-Conflict, Rafael Pardo. Peace is expected to bring many benefits to Colombia, including improved rule of law, security, and increased investment. This improved business environment has the potential to open a number of new opportunities for to U.S. companies.

Bogota, Colombia

The U.S. is an important trade and investment partner for Colombia. U.S.-based companies have been exporting an increased number products to Colombia since the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement went into effect in 2012. U.S. goods exports to Colombia stand at $16.3 billion in 2015, having grown 14% since the implementation of the agreement – compared to just 1.2% growth in U.S. goods exports worldwide over the same period. This makes Colombia our third largest export destination in Latin America.

Two industries that have made large gains are agricultural products and manufactured goods. Agriculture exports have doubled to $1.3 billion, and manufacturing exports grew 9.8% for a total of $14.5 billion in 2015.

One of the areas under negotiation as part of the peace process is comprehensive agricultural development. Therefore, a number of large agricultural development projects are planned as part of the government’s post-conflict strategy. The goal is to assist those areas most affected by the conflict and work to peacefully reintegrate the FARC and its former members into society. This priority has the potential to improve the standard of living for about 20% of the Colombian population that lives in rural areas affected by violence.

As Colombia seeks to develop and modernize its agricultural sector, U.S. agricultural equipment and services firms may find new business opportunities. For instance, new agricultural equipment imports can be subsidized by the government of Colombia, and the two-year, $500 million Colombia Siembra program is expected to increase agriculture growth in four years from 2.3% to 6.2% by 2018.

In addition, Business Monitor International found that total food consumption is projected to rise by 56.4% between 2014 and 2019. As a result, more opportunities may open up for businesses that provide value-add technologies to the sector, such as food processing and packaging companies.

Furthermore, Colombia’s post-peace development agenda includes a Contratos Plan (Peace Contracts) initiative led by the National Planning Department (DNP). This plan consists of about 1,450 priority peace projects for a total investment of about 14 trillion pesos, or USD$4.5 billion. The Peace Contracts will include long-term infrastructure projects, as well as other smaller development projects. The most important business opportunities for companies post-conflict include:

• Infrastructure: roads, airports, aqueducts, schools, hospitals, telecommunications infrastructure, and connectivity
• Tourism: development of rural tourism and ecotourism
• Logistics: storage centers and regional distribution centers
• Agriculture: commercialization of family farming, increased agricultural productivity at small scale farms, and development of irrigation districts.

Colombia is seeking international cooperation and private sector participation to fund several of these development projects. Some of the financial tools being considered are private investment incentives such as Free Trade Zones and Public-Private Partnerships in post-conflict areas. Minister Pardo has also proposed an adjustment to the private sector infrastructure tax. This will create tax incentives for businesses developing infrastructure projects in conflict-affected areas.

The post-conflict environment will present new business opportunities for U.S. companies. Accordingly, U.S. businesses should begin exploring the market now in order to take an advantage of these opportunities.

For information on doing business and exporting to Colombia, visit our web page, including information on upcoming trade events. The Colombian U.S. Commercial Service team is ready to support you in successfully doing business in Colombia.

Mindi Hertzog is a Commercial Officer and Heros Iarossi is a Commercial Clerk with the U.S. Commercial Service in São Paulo, Brazil.

Even as political turmoil, the Zika virus, and the Summer Olympics make headlines, Brazil still stands as one of the world’s largest economies – and one of the most important trading partners for the United States.

In our capacity with the U.S. Commercial Service, we recently attended the sixth annual Brazilian Retail Week, held June 27-30 in São Paulo. We had the honor of listening to and interacting with more than 150 corporate and industry leaders and experts about challenges, opportunities, and trends in the Brazilian market.

Shopping in Brazil

The biggest buzz at the event focused on the need for retailers to be aligned with younger consumers, a group labeled as “millennials.” These consumers display different purchasing patterns than more traditional consumers. Most critically, retailers must utilize digital technology in order to adapt to this new kind of customer, presenting both enormous challenges but also enormous opportunities. Retailers must be located where their customers are – with significant presence on the internet and on social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

According to one of the speakers, this “tap & pay” generation in Brazil does not like to stand in lines or carry bags, and many times, knows the product better than the seller. Others discussed trends including the startup economy, “omni-channels,” seamless shopping experiences, cross-border e-commerce, and the need for retailers to personalize the shopper experience.

It is clear that success in the Brazilian market requires companies to constantly innovate, especially in the digital space. A major theme throughout the two-day event was innovation in the U.S. as a model for Brazilian retailers. This provides a huge opportunity for U.S. companies in technological sectors – from marketing to cloud software to mobile apps– looking to do business in Brazil.

The International Trade Administration (ITA) helps U.S. companies find and capitalize on these opportunities. One important upcoming occasion is for businesses to join ITA at the U.S. Department of Commerce-certified LATAM Retail Show in São Paulo, Brazil, running August 23-25. This is one of the most high-profile events within the retail, franchising, mall, and e-commerce sectors in Latin America. There will be upwards of 280 exhibitors and 20,000 participants, including high-level executives and decision makers from major retailers. ITA will work to find partnerships and opportunities for American companies who take part in the delegation, including meetings with top industry professionals, social media exposure, and technical advice.  If you would like to join ITA at LATAM or learn how the U.S. Commercial Service assists businesses in Brazil, please contact the US Commercial Service in Brazil or your nearest Export Assistance Center.

Fernando Gracia is an Intern in the Office of the Western Hemisphere at the International Trade Administration

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Four years ago, the United States Colombia free trade agreement went into effect, representing a commitment to trade and prosperity between our two countries.  Today, we look back at the four years since the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) entered into force and analyze what it has meant for trade between our two countries.

The overall trend for U.S. exports to Colombia has been positive since the CTPA was implemented in 2012.

• In 2011, the year before the CTPA came into force, goods exports to Colombia had a value of $14.3 billion. In 2014, goods exports reached a high of $20.1 billion.
• In 2015, U.S. goods exports to Colombia fell to $16.3 billion, primarily due to the drop in the price of oil and related fuel products. Nevertheless, even with this drop, U.S. goods exports to Colombia have seen a growth rate of 14% ($2.0 billion) over the past four years, compared to 1.4% growth for U.S. exports worldwide.
• Today, Colombia is the U.S.’s 20^th largest goods export partner and the 3^rd largest in Latin America behind Mexico and Brazil. Explore U.S.-Colombia trade data here.

The CTPA’s key components that allowed for this growth include the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, equal access for services exports, equal access to covered government procurement opportunities, and the elimination of tariffs.  When the CTPA took effect in 2012, over 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products to Colombia immediately became duty-free; the remaining tariffs are being phased out over a period of ten years.  Recently, on January 1, 2016, more than 500 additional tariff lines became duty free for the first time.  This included products like pork products, perfumes, printing ink, soap, paper products, caps and lids, and exercise equipment, among others.  (For the latest tariff information on specific goods, check out the FTA Tariff Tool)

At the industry level, various sectors have benefitted from the CTPA. Manufacturing and agricultural exports have experienced major gains:

• Manufacturing exports grew from $13.2 billion to $14.5 billion, an increase of 9.8%.
• Agriculture and livestock exports doubled from $648 million to $1.3 billion.

Before the CTPA was implemented, U.S. exporters had seen their share of the Colombian market decline year after year.

• In 2009, U.S. exports to Colombia made up 29% of Colombian imports, and by 2012 the U.S. share had dropped to a low of 24%.
• Since the implementation of the CTPA in May 2012, U.S. market share in Colombia has rebounded, reaching 29% in 2015 (Figure 1).

Figure 1: U.S. Exports Market Share in Colombia

U.S. market share increased from 24% to 29% since the CTPA was implemented. Data Source: Global Trade Atlas.

At the same time, while the overall value of U.S. goods imports from Colombia  decreased by 39% from 2011 to 2015, trade has become increasingly diverse. The falling price of oil is the primary factor behind the diminishing value of U.S. imports from Colombia. The value of mineral fuel imports from Colombia dropped from $16.8 billion in 2011 to $8.1 billion in 2015 (52%), though the quantity of exports remained more steady (oil imports dropped from 160 million barrels to 149 million barrels, or just 7%, during that time).  Other sectors performed better:

• Imports of live plants, especially cut flowers, from Colombia increased from $578 million in 2011 to $624 million in 2015, an increase of 8%.
• Non-knit apparel imports increased from $117 million in 2011 to $137 million in 2015, an increase of 17%.
• Aluminum product imports also increased significantly from $41 million in 2011 to $123 million in 2015, an increase of 199%.

In addition, the CTPA increased both the number of companies exporting to the United States and the diversity of the products being shipped.

• According to ProColombia 2,059 Colombian companies and 104 new products entered the U.S. for the first time since the CTPA took effect in 2012, strengthening and diversifying the trade relationship.
• 97% of these companies are from industry sectors other than mining and energy, two of Colombia’s major export industries. ProColombia put together a list of 10 Colombian companies from diverse industries that have benefitted from the CTPA.

The CTPA’s primary objective and accomplishment has been to provide a platform for both Colombian and U.S. companies to succeed. As the Colombian government approaches a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), we can expect the U.S.-Colombia relationship, including our trade relationship, to only grow stronger.

Aileen Crowe Nandi is ITA’s Regional Senior Commercial Officer

U.S. exporters can’t afford to ignore markets touted as best-kept secrets – Central America is no exception. Today marks 10 years that the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (otherwise known as CAFTA-DR) has been in force, yielding tremendous growth for U.S. exports to the region. Guatemala and Nicaragua have the distinction of being the fastest-growing CAFTA-DR markets for U.S. goods exports since implementation, at 106.8 percent and 100.9 percent respectively, but all CAFTA-DR markets have demonstrated impressive growth of their U.S. imports.

That’s a lot of potential to develop your company’s export strategy. Is your company part of this growth? Consider this:

• Under CAFTA-DR, 100 percent of U.S. consumer and industrial goods exports are no longer subject to tariffs.
• Exports are already duty free to North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, Canada and Mexico. In a NAFTA-to-CAFTA-DR approach, if your company has already targeted sales opportunities in Mexico, it may be time to “Look South” to Central America.
• Central America is overwhelmingly predisposed to U.S. products, services, and companies.
• The United States is the largest trading partner (and foreign investor) in all these countries, albeit with increasing foreign competition.

U.S. goods exports to CAFTA-DR markets (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic) totaled $28.9 billion in 2015. To put this in perspective, U.S. goods exports to India, considered one of the most attractive growth prospect markets for U.S. companies, last year were $21.5 billion. Though each country represents a smaller market (2015 U.S. goods exports: Dominican Republic: $7.1 billion; Costa Rica, $6.1 billion; Guatemala: $5.9 billion; Honduras: $5.2 billion; El Salvador: $3.3 billion and Nicaragua: $1.3 billion), taken together these countries offer substantial opportunities for U.S. exporters.

Many companies consider Central America as a region when developing their sales strategy. Despite distinct market nuances in each country, which cannot be understated, the common affinities and long-standing business ties across these countries signify that this region constitutes a whole more than the sum of its parts.

Key U.S. exports to CAFTA-DR markets include:

• petroleum products;
• machinery;
• electrical/electronic products;
• cotton yarns;
• plastics;
• motor vehicles;
• paper products; and,
• medical instruments.

This list only skims the surface in terms of the depth and breadth of the range of U.S. goods sent to Central America. If your product is price-competitive and not already saturated in the market, there likely exists strong potential for your company in the region.

The U.S. Commercial Service welcomes the opportunity to work with you to help you craft your Central America strategy. While there are challenges in the region that can’t be ignored, in most cases with the right local partner, which we can help you identify and/or screen, the opportunities will significantly outweigh the potential difficulties. If you are interested in exploring (or expanding in) the region, we invite you to visit the region and let us help you find and/or vet potential partners, navigate the regulatory or registration issues, connect you with decision-makers and more.

Central America remains a face-to-face culture where personal business connections are essential before cementing a deal. To follow market trends in the region and learn more about how to do business in Central America, we invite you to follow our CS Central America LinkedIn Showcase page.

There’s no better time to explore opportunities in Central America and leverage CAFTA-DR to join the U.S. export boom to the region!

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Laura Ebert is the Colombia Desk Officer in the International Trade Administration.

As a fan of Netflix’s drama series ‘Narcos’, I was both nervous and excited to see just how much Colombia has changed since the days of Pablo Escobar. I visited the country for the first time in July and returned a few weeks ago with John Andersen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere. Our goal for the trip was to identify new business opportunities in cities across Colombia. I was impressed by the new, modern Colombia and can confirm that the country has indeed come a very long way. In fact:

• Colombia is on the verge of completing a historic peace process to end 50 years of civil war.
• Over the past 20 years, GDP has doubled and foreign direct investment into Colombia was more than $16 billion in 2014
• The rate of Colombians in extreme poverty has fallen from a high of 21 percent in 2006 to 6 percent in 2013.
• The country’s young population (25 percent of Colombians are under 14-years-old) means the country is bursting with new ideas, energy, and enthusiasm for the future.

During our visit, I saw many examples of the new and modern Colombia. For example, the city of Barranquilla has become Colombia’s international commercial hub. This city of 2.4 million people on the north Caribbean coast impressed me with its crazy traffic, heavy rains, and multitude of skyscrapers—all under construction. With a thriving port and major waterway, the Magdalena River is a natural hub for commerce. The city looks north, towards the United States, meaning there is a lot of interest in doing business with U.S. companies. Some of the reasons Barranquilla may be the next place a U.S. company does business includes the city’s:

• Commitment to transparency and good governance.
• Ambitious new plans and projects, such as a new 34,500 m² expo center, Puerta del Oro, which means procurement opportunities for U.S. companies.
• Convenient transportation options including an airport with big plans for expansion.
• Business opportunities in major industry sectors like metalworking, chemicals and plastics, construction materials, transportation and logistics, internet and telecommunications services, health and pharmaceuticals, tourism and health tourism.

Another great example is Medellin, Pablo Escobar’s hometown. Medellin, a city of 3.4 million people, has transformed into an innovation hub for the country. Recently, Medellin was named the most innovative city of the year by the Wall Street Journal. Innovative clusters have developed in industries such as textile and garment manufacturing and design; business tourism and trade shows; electric energy; construction; medical and dental services; and information and communications technologies. Public, private, and academic partnerships are working together to develop new products. One example is public-private corporation Ruta N, which acts as a center of business and innovation in Medellin. The corporation promotes and develops successful knowledge-based businesses. Ruta N anchors a new technology cluster in the north of the city designed to attract businesses in the areas of science, technology, and innovation, particularly in the health, energy, and telecommunications sectors.

If you think the new Colombia holds promise for your growing business, here’s how to get started:

• Do your market research by reading the Colombia Country Commercial Guide.
• Contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center to learn how we can help your business export to the Colombian market.

See you in Colombia!