Posey International and CTCC hosted two interested presentations from experts in logistics in the Oil and Gas Industry.

Gordon D. Smith, Ph.D - Clinical Professor of Supply Chain Management University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business and Jesus Mireles Valencia - General Manager, PI Logistics SA of CV Mexico, D.F talked about global trends in Supply Chain Management, and new adjustments in the Mexican international trade.
The two conferences capture the attention of the participants, making a continuing interaction between the panelists and the participants.

The Strategic Partnership Program’s mission is to expand the U.S. Export Base through innovative Public - Private Sector Partnerships. Combining the export assistance services of the U.S. Commercial Service together with “best-in-class” companies, the strategic Partnership Program enables increased export opportunities through joint outreach and education to small- and medium-sized U.S. businesses.

This partnership is instrumental for CTCC to reach our goal of generating value to our members by providing tools and services that will help them grow their business.

The Colombia- Texas Chamber of Commerce, in a joint effort with The Houston Technology Center, hosted the Second Innovation and Technology Opportunities in Colombia Forum.  During the forum, several topics were discussed.

From left to rigth: Jeff Hamilton, Daniel Pedraza, Carlos Lara, Sebastian Gomez, German Montoya, Claudia Rojas
 

Daniel Pedraza, the First Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Embassy of Colombia to the United States, spoke about the action plan between the US and Colombia regarding  information and communication technologies.
Carlos Lara, Chair HTC Americas from HTC (Houston Technology Center), spoke about the liaison for business development opportunities and resources. He explained the opportunities in the industry and the best way to tackle the American market.
Sebastian Gomez, the Executive Trade Representative from USA- South Central, Proexport, spoke about innovation and technology and business processes for outsourcing in Colombia.
Finally, German Montoya, Business expert STI from Ruta N Medellin, explained the opportunities for innovation and technology operations in Medellin, a plan called “Medellin innovation district/ Science, technology and innovation plan (STI).” He also talked about the public policy of innovation.
After the forum, the officials had the opportunity of networking and meetings with different businesses.

Ruta N Medellin met some American companies during the day and offered to them the opportunity to start technology related operations in Latin America using  Ruta N Medellin as a strong platform.

 

Once again The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce participated in the Expo Oil and Gas Colombia 2014 with a CTCC Trade Mission, in which some Texas based companies had the opportunity of having a closer perspective of the oil and gas industry in Colombia. The US Commercial service delegation joined the CTCC Trade Mission delegation for the welcome dinner hosted by the Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce at the Club Colombia Restaurant on Nov 3rd.
The first day of the exhibit, Nov 4th, the CTCC Trade mission delegation had business meetings and hosted a conference lunch named “Acquiring Interest and Investing in the Colombian Oil & Gas industry.” During the conference lunch, the special guest Mauricio Alvarado, Partner and Head of Oil and Gas of SMPS Legal and OG Energy Attorneys, talked about the legal framework in Colombia for the industry.  At the end of the day, the delegation attended VIP conferences and a cocktail reception hosted by Campetrol.
On the 2nd day, the companies participated in the conferences and exhibitions, more business meetings, the ANH luncheon, and the Tenaris Cocktail Reception.
On the 3rd day, they had a lunch with Ecopetrol organized by the CTCC, as well as the regular daily schedule of meetings and conferences.Finally, CTCC Trade Mission ended the trip with a night out at the famous restaurant Andres DC.

 

In general, CTTC organized a successful trade mission with six participants and organized 49 business meetings. The participants discussed business opportunities one-on-one with Colombian Companies, networked with high levels executives from distinguished companies, had access to the VIP events and had a pleasant time with people with same interests.
 
CTCC gives special thanks to U.S. Commercial Service, Campetrol , Corferias and Avianca for all the support and help that made this Trade Mission a Success.

The American Petroleum Institute sponsors eight  to ten luncheons during the year at the Petroleum Club. The highlighted chapter and country invited for November 11, 2014 was Colombia.
Three speakers addressed the Emergent Opportunities in Oil & Gas in Colombia. Claudia Rojas-Jimenez, founder and Executive Director of the Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce, presented “Colombia – The Next Four Years”, providing a summary on the most important developments that will take place in the country. Juan Felipe Arjona, Corporate Technology Manager for Technip, Offshore division, and also a Board member of The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce, presented “Offshore Colombia, Opportunities and Challenges”. Lastly, Roberto Garcia-Solorzano, President of Nejasayoil LLC, presented “Latin America and Colombia Energy Outlook". 

200 people attended to this meeting and 15 exhibits of oil and gas organizations showed their products and services.
 
The CTCC had the opportunity not only to participate on this event, but also to meet and gather with interested companies that are willing to take the Colombian journey.
 
Special thanks to API for inviting CTCC to participate in this luncheon.

The Greater Houston Partnership and The City of Houston, in collaboration with U.S Panama Business Council, The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce and Proexport, organized a Houston Trade and Investment Mission to Panama and Colombia. The group promoted Houston as a gateway to the Americas and strengthened relations between Houston and the two countries. The delegation was led by the Mayor Annise D. Parker and 33 US companies.

 

The first part of the trade mission was held in Panama, where participants had the opportunity of having meetings with local business and attending events with Government officials of that country.  Claudia Rojas, the Founder and Executive Director of The Colombia Texas Chamber of Commerce, took part of this section of the trip before going to Bogota.

The second part of the trade mission was hosted in Colombia. The team of the Greater Houston Partnership, CTCC and Frascisco Vives -a Vives & Arias partner and an Industry Sector Advisor for the CTCC- made possible the three-day tide schedule in the cities of Bogota, Barranquilla and Cartagena.

 

On November 18^th a private breakfast hosted at the Hotel Casa Medina in the city of Bogota along with a presentation named “Colombia – Country Briefing.” Followed, the signature of an MOU between Cities of Houston and Bogota was executed.  This program promoted great incentives for companies from Houston that would like to set up operations in Colombia; especially in the fields of innovation, technology and services.

 

A Houston delegation led by Mayor Annise Parker and composed of 25 business, community and government leaders visited the cities of Bogotá, Barranquilla and Cartagena. This event, who took place November 19-22, marked the first time that an active Houston mayor visited Colombia. The timing of the mission was carefully designed: Both Houston and Colombia have enjoyed tremendous growth over the past decade; current trade between both amounts to $12 billion annually; there are many commonalities in terms of business interests in areas such as oil and gas, maritime trade, health care and technology; there are several new initiatives further linking Colombia and Houston related to airport and port infrastructure development.