Learn about exporting to Colombia with June 21 webinar

A new agreement between the United States and Colombia has loosened trade restrictions between the two countries. Effective since May 15, the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement eliminates tariffs and other barriers on U.S. exports.

What does that mean for your business? Basically, it's much easier and more cost-effective to ship your products to customers in Colombia. A webinar, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (EST) June 21, will explain how  U.S. businesses can benefit from the trade agreement.

Nearly all exports in the following sectors have immediate duty-free access to the third-largest economy in Central and South America: agriculture and construction equipment, aircraft and parts, auto parts, fertilizers and agro-chemicals, information technology equipment, medical and scientific equipment, and wood. Tariffs on other products will be phased out over 10 years.

The webinar's presenters are Michael McKinley, U.S. ambassador to Colombia; Alejandra Y. Castillo, national deputy director of the Minority Business Development Agency; and Michael Masserman, the International Trade Administration's executive director for export policy, promotion and strategy.

In 2009, small and midsized businesses exported $3.1 billion in merchandise to Colombia -- more than a third of total U.S. exports to that country.

The one-hour webinar is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency.