NUMBER 01, JANUARY-MARCH 2011

President Santos celebrates International Women’s Day with

the flower industry

Juan Manual Santos, President of Colombia celebrated International Women’s Day this past March

8th, together with his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez, by paying a visit to a flower farm in

Facatativa. Over 1,000 flower workers were invited to share in the celebration with the nation’s

leader who gave a speech dedicated to Colombian floriculture - an industry that generates 25% of

rural employment for Colombian women. During his speech, President Santos highlighted the valor

and commitment of the Colombian woman, particularly those with

ties to the floriculture industry for their multi-faceted roles as

workers, mothers and wives. The President also emphasized his

continued support for the country’s floriculture industry itself, not

only with a view to getting its products out to 89 countries, but

also for its generating large-scale employment and dignity for the

nation going forward. “The legitimate jobs floriculture

generates for the country shall be preserved. We will endeavor

to keep our nation’s flowers among our top-ranking exports,”

stated Santos. Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores, indicated

that President Santos’ visit amounts to a clear show of support

from the Colombian government for the floriculture industry.

María Clemencia Rodríguez, Colombian

First Lady, with Augusto Solano.

From Colombia with love…

On the heels of

Valentine’s Day,

Colombian flower

growers bring another

sales cycle to a close

with International

Women’s Day. From

sending 30 flights a day,

mostly north to the United

States, Colombian flower

growers turned their

sights on Russia, their

second biggest market.

March 8th is most

commonly associated with

the now infamous New

York textile plant fire in

1909 where 129 women

lost their lives while locked in, protesting for rights against workplace abuses and exploitation from

their bosses. In 1914, the commemoration caught on in Russia where bestowing flowers on all females

regardless of age became symbolic of its celebration of the day.

Time Runs Out for Preferential

ATPDEA Tariffs

This past February 13th

, preferential tariffs conceded by

the ATPDEA expired once again after having been

renewed for 6 weeks in December 2010. Since that time

until now, the United States congress has approved no

further extensions, despite the existence of significant

bi-partisan support for the initiative. Everything points

to unrelated legislative propositions fomenting debate

inside Congress that are delaying approval.

Despite these recent developments, the Colombian

government and the country’s private sector are

optimistic about the ATPDEA getting extended for a

longer period, and are forging ahead with strengthening

existing business ties between the United States and

Colombia that have already generated formal quality

employment in both nations.

Importers Back ATPDEA and FTA Several members of the United States flower chain have come out in

support of the ATPDEA and FTA with Colombia. During the week of

February 8th

, Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores and the

Executive Director at AFIF, Christine Boldt, with the support of the

Unites States Embassy in Colombia and the Colombian Commercial

Office in Washington, together with Ambassador Ron Kirk, USTR, made

the rounds with both Democratic and Republican members of congress

in the United States, as well as attending a House Ways and Means

Committee hearing to analyze the implications of the Free Trade

Agreement with Colombia. Inroads have been made into raising

awareness among members of Congress on the importance of approving

a new ATPDEA extension. Although, the subject has become entwined with internal political

commercial debates, retroactive approval is expected soon.

McCain reiterated his support for the FTA during his visit to Colombia

Republican Senator John McCain, visited

Cartagena, Colombia, this past January.

During his meeting with Colombian

President Juan Manuel Santos, McCain

reiterated his commitment to getting

approval for the Free Trade Agreement

between Colombia and the United States.

“The FTA is a debt the US Congress owes

to Colombia,” he affirmed during his visit.

Colombian flowers: Guests of honor at Ikebana 2010

The quality and diversity of Colombian flowers just

keeps growing on the demanding Japanese market.

Last December 11th, the country of Colombia and its

flowers were the guests of honor at Ikebana

International in Tokyo. Patricia Cardenas,

Colombian Ambassador to Japan, presided over the

event with the support of Asocolflores. Hundreds of

Colombian flowers made their way into the hands of

Ikebana masters at an affair that brought together

florists and floral designers from all over Japan. The

event created a window of opportunity to continue promoting the consumption of Colombian

flowers in Japan, where Colombia has managed to consolidate itself at the second provider of

fresh cut flowers.

John Barrasso, Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia, and John

McCain.

Patricia Cárdenas, Colombian Ambassador to Japan next

to Princess Takamado

In Attendance at IPM Essen 2011

IPM Essen made its mark as one of the major horticultural events in Europe with the

attendance of flower purchasers from different countries. Six Asocolflores member companies

collectively participated with the support of Proexport in this important exhibit during the last

week of January under the country brand name ‘Colombia, Land of Flowers® at the BGI

Association of German Importers Business Center.

143 Species of Birds Enjoy Protection on Florverde Farms

The Florverde Farm Program, in partnership with SENA, the Bogotá Ornithological Association, and the Antioquia Ornithological Society, recently carried out “The Flower Bird” research project that provides evidence of agriculture initiatives helping to conserve 143 species of birds in Colombia.

This project was carried out on 29 farms located around the northern and western sectors of the Bogotá Savannah and around eastern Antioquia. Diverse waterfowl habitats such as reservoirs, canals,

wetlands, live fences and forested areas were identified on the farms and 143 species were identified. 29 of the species are migratory birds making the trek in from Canada or the United States and arriving in Colombia in October to nest until March. 31 species of waterfowl were also identified that are generally associated with flower farm reservoirs – a situation that speaks to the high quality of water found on Colombian flower farms.

APHIS Visit to Colombia

Friday, February 11th

,

APHIS representatives

visited the ‘Flores Santa

Barbara’ farm by

invitation of

Asocolflores. The visit

was hosted by the farm’s manager Jorge Álvarez, Horacio Álavrez

from the BPI Department, as well as other company staff. Iván

Restrepo, Asocolflores Director for Ceniflores and Alvaro Forero

Physotsanitary auditor were in attendance on behalf of

Asocolflores. This visit was of great significance for the

industry, creating an opportunity to exhibit the efforts gone

through at flower producing farms to grow flowers that meet

the standards demanded by importing countries to a group of

experts. This field trip was part of The South America APHIS Area

Directors regional meeting held in Bogotá.

Asocolflores commitment

to the flower industry

To our clients: To whom we provide quality

products that comply with the strictest

environmental controls and observe the cold

chain, thus ensuring a beautiful long-lasting

product.

To our workers: Who day-by-day help grow better flowers for a

better world. We guarantee workers a dignified job; provide

them with opportunities to higher levels of social development.

To the environment: Through Florverde®, we promote

sustainable floriculture. With the endorsement of the

GLOBALG.A.P. standard, the Swiss firm SGS and Icontec, we work

in areas that include personnel management, occupational

health, worker and community welfare, training and

development, water, soil, IPM, fertilizer, and waste management

and recycling, as well as landscaping and biodiversity

conservation.

To our country through job creation: Thanks to the School of

Floriculture program, we aid over 1,000 displaced or vulnerable

families, so they can learn to produce cut flowers and apply for

permanent jobs with our member companies.