THE EMERGENCE OF NEW SUCCESSFUL EXPORT ACTIVITIES IN COLOMBIA Final Draft, January 2007 María Angélica Arbeláez, Marcela Meléndez ∗∗∗ and Nicolás León ∗∗∗∗∗∗ FEDESARROLLO IABD project – Latin American Research Network ∗ Associate Researchers, Fedesarrollo,
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[email protected] . ∗∗ Junior Researcher, Fedesarrollo,
[email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction 4 2 Theoretical Framework 4 2.1 The discovery process 5 2.2 The diffusion process 6 3 Brief overview of Colombian exports and environment 7 3.1 Evolution of exports 7 3.2 Macroeconomic environment and government policies 10 4 Research methodology, data sources, and choice of sectors for case study 13 4.1 Research methodology and data sources 13 4.2 Choice of sectors for case study 14 5 Case Studies 14 5.1 Case 1: Fresh cut flowers 15 5.1.1 Introduction 15 5.1.2 Sector’s overview 17 5.1.3 The discovery process 20 5.1.4 The diffusion process 33 5.1.5 Role of the government 35 5.1.6 Later developments of the flower industry 37 5.1.7 Counterfactual 1: Mangos 39 5.1.8 Counterfactual 2: Flowers in Ecuador 42 5.2 Case 2: Underwear and swimwear 44 5.2.1 Introduction 44 5.2.2 The Underwear and Swimwear industries 47 5.2.3 Pioneer 48 5.2.4 The diffusion process 51 5.2.5 Role of the government 55 5.2.6 Counterfactual: The shirt industry 56 5.3 Case 3. Sanitary products 58 5.3.1 Introduction 58 5.3.2 Sector’s overview 59 5.3.3 The discovery process 63 5.3.4 The diffusion process 70 5.3.5 Role of the government 72 5.3.6 Key factors behind the export success