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Colombia

Colombia - IDP products a success at international trade fair

Products made by internally displaced Colombians, former child soldiers and victims of anti personnel mines and endorsed by IOM, were a great success this week at the International Trade Fair (Macrorueda de Negocios Agroindustria) held in the city of Cartagena.
Jewellery, leather goods, clothing, foodstuff and handicrafts were presented to buyers from all over the world who participated in the trade fair.

Andrea Jaramillo, the IOM Officer in charge of this initiative explained: "It was a way to show that people who have suffered injuries, trauma and displacement can still be productive members of society. These products were not only welcomed by the buyers, but also produced quite a stir. IOM is committed to helping these brave Colombians to get back on their feet and to assist them in getting their products sold internationally."

The IOM initiative is part of the Social Marketing Strategy funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

IOM began marketing the products at the international level last September at a real estate fair organized by the Colombian Chamber of Construction and held in New York. In Colombiathe products are sold at boutiques and specialty shops in Bogotaand Cartagena (Makú, El Balay, Tienda Artesanal, and the Hilton Hotel, amongst others).

During this week's fair, IOM sold more than 60 products and established contacts with potential buyers from Belgium, Canadaand Italy. Proexport, the governmental organization in charge of promoting non-traditional export items, foreign investment and tourism to Colombia, will promote and market the IOM-sponsored products in all its international offices.

In 2005, IOM began the Social Market Strategy to help vulnerable populations to become self-sufficient. Since then sales have increased by about 30 per cent. It is expected that by the end of 2006, total sales will reach US$ 100,000.

For more information on the Social Marketing Strategy and to see the products, please visit the IOM Colombia Website. www.oim.org.co.

For more information and press queries contact, Rocio Sanz, IOM Colombia, Email: rsanz@oim.org.co, Tel: 57.311 5619495 or 57.1.622 77 74 ext. 114.