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ProChile Reveals Opportunities for Companies in the Forestry Sector in Colombia
Between May 27 and 30, the Congress organized by the National Federation of Wood Industries of Colombia, Fedemaderas, took place. One of the most important activities of the program was the first "Colombian Bioeconomy Week: Contribution from Forests, Wood, and Their Ecosystem Services to the Country's Development." The event included a business roundtable, networking, and a series of presentations.
In this context, the Commercial Director of ProChile in Colombia, Felipe Opazo, highlighted the potential of Chile within the forestry industry. Currently, Chile has over 2 million hectares of planted forests and is the 10th largest producer of sawn wood globally. Additionally, the Chilean industry holds FSC and PEFC certifications, making it highly competitive internationally.
"There are several emerging opportunities in various products, ranging from biomass to finished goods for different construction solutions. The first step to start leveraging these opportunities is to develop forestry awareness campaigns so people see wood not just as a consumable but as a lifestyle choice. It is also important to promote cross-border investment and public-private partnerships," commented Opazo.
In this regard, Antonio Minte, General Manager of Corma, added, "We see great potential for collaboration between both countries. There are investment opportunities here in Colombia and also for Colombian products in Chile. We are thrilled about this cooperation and hope to sustain it."
Meanwhile, Frane Zilic, Manager of the Regional Strategic Program for Modern Construction Methods at Corfo, emphasized, "The opportunity to understand how the forestry sector and wood construction work here in Colombia is very enriching for us as Chileans, as it confirms we are on the right path. We may be ahead compared to the local situation here in Colombia, but the most important thing is that we see enormous potential for growth and sustainable development. Undoubtedly, we can foster a cooperative relationship to support them in this process, sharing not only the good practices we’ve implemented in Chile but also the mistakes we’ve made so they can avoid them here in Colombia."
The national delegation was led by the Chilean Ambassador to Colombia, María Inés Ruz, and Senator Alfonso de Urresti. Also participating were Daniela Bizama, First Secretary of the Chilean Embassy and coordinator of Chile's participation; Susana Jara, Acting Head of the Construction Technologies Department at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development; Frane Zilic, Manager of the Regional Strategic Program for Modern Construction Methods at Corfo; Francisca Lorenzini, Manager of the Center of Excellence for the Wood Industry CIM – CENAMAD; Antonio Minte, General Manager of Corma; and Felipe Opazo, Commercial Director of ProChile in Colombia.
