From 09 to 12 March, thirteen member companies of the Orchestra Brasil Project - a partnership between the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) and Sindmóveis Bento Gonçalves to encourage exports of suppliers to the furniture industry – will take part in the 13th M&M Technological and Industrial Fair in Bogota, Colombia. In addition to the 96-sq. meter collective booth, where eleven companies will exhibit their new products, Orchestra Brasil will also support Leitz and Promob Softwares in their individual exhibiting spaces. Some 14,000 professional visitors are expected to attend the fair held in a 15,500 sq. meter area.

A country of 47.7 million inhabitants, Colombia has the third largest economy in South America, with a GDP growth estimated at 2.5% in 2015 and according to the IMF’s forecast it will grow 2.8% in 2016. With one of the highest economic growths in Latin America in recent years, the country has stability and is currently considered by the World Bank one of the best places to do business in South America. Its furniture industry has also expanded, with a production growth of 8.4% in 2014, according to Euromonitor data.

The Orchestra Brasil Project has been carried out since 2006 promoting the competitive inclusion of suppliers to the woodworking sector in the international market. To achieve this goal it promotes market research, missions to prospect markets, individual actions, Buyer’s Projects, Seller’s Projects and Image projects, in addition to taking part in major world trade fairs. Currently, Orchestra Brasil comprises 62 manufacturing companies. The priority markets for 2016 are South Africa, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Turkey and Vietnam.