Latin Americans take care over their clothes and overall appearance, and those doing business in Colombia are advised to do the same. A business trip that spans several days is likely to include an invitation for drinks or dinner. Many Colombian businesspeople speak English but any effort to speak Spanish is greatly appreciated. The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has an official translation service, and there are a number of commercial interpreter services.
The best months for business visits to Colombia are March to November. The business community generally takes holidays from September to February, the driest months. It is advisable to avoid Barranquilla in June and July.
Office hours:Monday-Friday 0900-1200 and 1400-1800.
Economy:Colombia's economy has grown steadily over the past few years. Annual growth has increased from 3.75% in 2003 to 5.13% in 2005 and 7% in 2007. Inflation was at 5.5% in 2007, while unemployment levels are dropping, though still relatively high at 11.2%.
While coffee is Colombia's main agricultural export, the country has significant mineral and energy resources, particularly coal and natural gas. According to current projections, Colombia is expected to continue exporting oil until 2010 or 2011.
In February 2006, Colombia signed a Free Trade Agreement with the USA, which was set to come into force in early 2008; however, it is still awaiting the approval of US Congress.
GDP:US$286 billion (2010 estimate).
Main exports:Oil, coffee, coal, clothes and bananas.
Main imports:Industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals and paper products.
Main trading partners:USA, China, Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico.
Most public telephones take phone cards, which you can buy in many shops and kiosks. Many internet cafés also have international phone booths, as well as Skype facilities.
Mobile phone:Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to urban areas. If your phone is unlocked, you can buy a Colombian SIM card from companies such as Comcel, which will make calls and texts a lot cheaper. You may need identification for this.
Internet:There are internet cafés in most towns and cities. Most hotels and hostels in bigger cities provide free Wi-Fi, and the connection is usually quite good.
Post:The postal service is not reliable, and travellers are advised to use couriers if sending important documents or packages. There are no traditional post offices, but hotels in major cities offer a postal service.
Post office hours:Variable, but approximately Mon-Fri 0900-1200 and 1400-1600.
Media:For many years Colombia was a dangerous place for journalists who faced intimidation by drug traffickers, guerrillas and paramilitary groups. In the 1990s, over 120 journalists were killed, many for investigating drug trafficking and corruption. Things have improved, and the law technically provides for freedom of the press, but there is still a long way to go.
The main papers are El País and El Tiempo; English-language papers are not prevalent. Colombia has five national TV channels: Caracol TV, RCN TV, Señal Colombia, Canal Institucional and Canal Uno. There are other local channels.
Radio:There are hundreds of stations. The main networks are state-run Radio Nacional de Colombia, Cadena Super (including Radio Super and Super Stereo FM), Caracol and Radio Cadena Nacional (RCN Radio).
