WHAT WE OFFER Economics and Business Faculty association IBR Colombia offers your company tailor-made, professional research at cost price. We have the capabilities to investigate organizations and markets in an objective manner and provide you with specific knowledge about Colombia. The research will be performed in close collaboration with contracting companies to make sure it will be customized to your needs. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS RESEARCH COLOMBIA The new Latin American promise
ABOUT US INTRODUCING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS RESEARCH In an increasingly globalizing world, it is important for companies to look beyond the borders of their own country. In fact, Dutch companies have to keep expanding their scope even outside of Europe in order to attain and sustain growth. International Business Research is the perfect way for companies to gain knowledge about upcoming economies. During the last 27 years, the International Business Research initiative has helped a large amount of companies, from small and medium-sized enterprises to multinationals, to expand their knowledge of new emerging markets. The strength of International Business Research comes from the fact that it offers tailor-made market research at cost price carried out by thoroughly selected students. These students are supervised by two senior professors. Furthermore, IBR is guided by a carefully selected advisory board. EXECUTIVE BOARD International Business Research is the perfect opportunity to gain knowledge of the promising Colombian market. From left to right: Romy Niels (PR and Travel Coordinator), Joep Breurkens (Chairman), Anneke Damhuis (Vice-Chairman and Treasurer), Bart Schooten (External Relations) and Sam Brands (External Relations).
SERVICES WHAT WE OFFER IBR Colombia offers your company tailor-made, professional research at cost price. We have the capabilities to investigate organizations and markets in an objective manner and provide you with specific knowledge about Colombia. The research will be performed in close collaboration with contracting companies to make sure it will be customized to your needs. OUR STRENGTHS Tailor-made, professional research at cost price. Over 27 years of research experience. Four months of intensive preparation by 25 high quality students. Supervised by two senior professors of the and our advisory board. Opportunity to get into contact with high quality students. RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES Commercial Activities Competitor Analysis Consumer Behavior Distribution Analysis Feasibility Research Import- and Export Analysis Sector Analysis Outsourcing On request, other research proposals can be offered. RESEACH-SETUP GENERALPREPARATION PHASE SPECIFIC RESEARCH PHASE REPORTING PHASE In this phase, students knowledge of Colombia, market research and their methodological expertise will be improved. During this phase, the specific needs of your company will be thoroughly examined. Also, the set-up of the research, the preliminary research and the field research in Colombia will be executed. The last phase will consist of completing the research. Results will be presented to your company in a final research report. All results will be handled confidentially.
OPPORTUNITIES WHY COLOMBIA? In the last decade, the fastest-growing economy of Latin America has developed itself as an attractive country for foreign investment. Explanations are its diverse economy combined with its convenient geographic location, Colombia s aggressive promotion of Free Trade Agreements and a continuous and stable economic growth of more than 4% annually over the last four years. Not surprisingly, the Dutch government has declared Colombia a transition country, which eases trade between both countries. Additionally, Colombia has a rapidly expanding middle class, relatively young population and a more stable political situation. These are important ingredients for sustainable economic growth. Forecasts show that Colombia will continue this growing trend, leading to Colombia being the ultimate investment opportunity for your company in Latin America. INTERESTING SECTORS OIL AND GAS The newly enacted and stable legal system surrounding the Colombian oil and gas industry creates a favorable business environment, with Bogotá as its center. The many opportunities created here, as a result of new recovery technologies and unconventional crude oil projects, present a strong contrast to the global context of the difficult and changing oil and gas sector. WATERMANAGEMENT The Netherlands is a worldwide expert in watermanagement. The Holland Colombia Water Platform (HCWP) and the Dutch government organized various business trips to Colombia to enlarge the export of Dutch knowledge and p r o d - ucts. The close links between Colombia and the Netherlands on watermanagement will make opportunities in this sector even stronger for Dutch firms in the future. AGRIBUSINESS This sector offers many opportunities for agricultural and farming investments, as Colombia has a strategic geographical position. Colombia experiences strong sunlight all year round and its enormous opportunities for investments can improve agribusiness practices in Colombia to reach its full potential. In addition, the government stimulates this sectors through tax cuts and free trade agreements with the European Union. OTHER SECTORS WITH HIGH POTENTIAL IN COLOMBIA Automotive Textile and clothing Biotechnology Software and IT Services Infrastructure Medical supplies Sustainable energy Food processing Mining
RECOMMENDATIONS On several occasions IBR has proven to us that the research conducted for our company was detailed and of a very high standard. Every report helped us to make a final decision to enter a market or to refrain from making further investments. The students conducting the research have always been very focused and several found their first job in our company afterwards. C.D. Schut - Commercial Manager AkzoNobel Functional Chemical Salt Specialties On behalf of EA Broekema, I can warmly recommend the International Business Research (IBR) initiative. Their reports provided us with valuable intelligence about the market of conveyor belts in these countries, which are key to our growth strategy. It was a great pleasure to work with these highly enthusiastic students, who came well prepared and were very committed to the task. The young and dedicated teams brought this special energy that added fun to the work. I strongly suggest that entrepreneurs consider IBR when exploring opportunities in emerging markets. J. Huisman - General Director EA Broekema It is with pleasure that I endorse the International Business Research initiative. In a more globalized world it is also for the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen important to have an increasing international scope. Furthermore, the FEB continues to increase the connection between students and businesses. International Business Research is the perfect combination of academic training and real life market research. With International Business Research, companies have the chance to get in contact with carefully selected and highly motivated students. Prof. dr. J.H. Garretsen - Dean of Faculty of Economics and Business OVER THE YEARS IBR HAS CONDUCTED RESEARCH FOR OVER 170 ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING: HISTORY ABN Amro Bank N.V. Acquion AEGON AkzoNobel Alphatron Capgemini Nederland Coram International Deloitte Douwe Egberts DSM Elsevier EVD Fair Trade Organization FGM FMO Friesland Foods Fugro Havenbedrijf Rotterdam Heineken IHC Holland IMD ING Group Kleyn International Nefit Peijnenburg Group Prescan Rabobank Randstad Royal Philips Electronics Royal P&O Nedlloyd Royal Vopak SBM Smit Internationale SHV Holdings Stop Aids Now Talent&Pro
ADVISORY BOARD Commercial Director EA Broekema B.V. Project Officer International Netherlands Water Partnership Managing Director Top Latin Export Latin America Business Export Consultant Associate Professor Faculty of Economics and Business Marketing Manager MCA, Industrial Chemicals AkzoNobel Senior Programme Manager Latin America Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries Chairman / Senior Consultant Coöporatie Agrimaco U.A. Chairman IBR Chile 2015 Manager Business Development Port4Growth, Programma Groeiversneller Regional Manager South America Boskalis International B.V. Lecturer Business Marketing Faculty of Economics and Business Manager Marketing and Communication Fenedex Senior Economist Atradius Senior Vice-President, General Manager Business Lamp Electronics Philips Lighting Area Manager Latin America Nederlands Centrum voor Handelsbevordering Managing Director / Director Operations Propulsion System Services Wärtsilä Netherlands B.V Managing Director Antea Group Relationship Manager FIEM Americas Rabobank Managing Director IRO Manager International Relations Koninklijke Metaalunie Managing Director / Owner Horticonsult Global Partners B.V. Former Director Economics province Groningen VNO-NCW-Noord Head of High Growth Markets KPMG
BOARD OF RECOMMENDATION President Director Shell Netherlands B.V. Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. Randstad Holding N.V. & Chairman of the Board of Management and the Executive Committee AkzoNobel P Managing Director Risk & Regulatory Deloitte Accountants B.V. Chairman of the Executive Board Achmea B.V. Business Line Director Royal HaskoningDHV Royal FrieslandCampina President De Nederlandsche Bank N.V. GasTerra B.V. Member of the Executive Board Rabobank Major City of Groningen President Director KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Colombia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands & Chairman Managing Board Royal DSM Rector Magnificus Chairman Royal Association MKB-Nederland N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie Dean Faculty of Economics and Business Chairman of the Executive Board & Royal Vopak N.V. Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands CFO ORTEC B.V. Part-time Professor Business Econometrics University Amsterdam President & Royal Philips N.V. Royal BAM Groep N.V.
CONTACT CONTACT International Business Research Colombia 2016 Faculty of Economics and Business Nettelbosje 2 9747 AE Groningen The Netherlands T: +31 (0)50 363 9488 E: colombia@ibr-groningen.nl For further information please visit our website: www.ibr-groningen.nl