Support for strengthening poultry industry in Colombia

(Bogota, May 2008).- To support the program “Development of a sustainable competitive strategy for the poultry industry in Santander," CAF signed a non-reimbursable technical cooperation agreement with the Bucaramanga Chamber of Commerce.

The main objective of the program is to design, develop and implement a joint purchasing methodology for companies in the poultry industry in Santander, which strengthens the supply chain and generates competitiveness for the cluster.

This program will also develop a technological platform as a tool for starting the model, along with transfer of knowledge from an international expert in joint negotiating strategies at vertical and horizontal level in the chain.

The poultry industry contributes about 3% of agriculture GDP and generates around 370,000 jobs, including 170,000 direct. Proexport estimates the value of poultry product exports in 2007 at approximately US$5.3 million.

Santander department has defined the poultry industry as one of its productive priorities for the region, focusing on incorporation of technology and development of strategies to meet the challenges created by the new trade agreements.

With this agreement, CAF, through its Competitiveness Support Program (PAC), continues promoting initiatives to stimulate competitive advantages in the region, higher economic growth rates, and a better quality of life for the population.

The Bucaramanga Chamber of Commerce, which supports this program together with the Colombian National Federation of Poultry Farmers (FENAVI), is an independent private institution which offers products and services designed to improve business competitiveness and stimulate the development of Santander department.