PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

I NEED TO FIND A SAVVY AND RELIABLE BUSINESS CONTACT IN MEDELLIN...

...who is familiar with (and has conexiones within) the Colombian textile industry, more specifically in women's lingerie. I am looking for large volume purchases at "factory-direct" prices. Here's why:

For the past six weeks, I have been travelling extensively and conducting informal "imported wish-list" surveys with practically every Venezuelan local (children, men, and women) I encountered... basically in search of a niche market to exploit (what did you expect??? I'm an American, after all! jejeje).

I have come to the conclusion that Venezuelan children want a better selection of electronics at better prices (computers, cameras, and especially video games/consoles) from the US. The men want power tools and auto parts (also from the US), which are very difficult and costly to acquire here. The problem with importing these consumer goods, however, lies within the ongoing political turmoil between the two nations.Asi no me meto...

The Venezuelan women, on the other hand, have demonstrated an absolutely covetous desire to possess Colombian fashion apparel and accessories, especially Colombian lingerie (I was also informed by several "chicas muy francas" that there is also a strong demand for "juguetes para adultos"). It was actually very entertaining just watching them "get excited" about the possibility of being able to buy ropa interior colombiana.

So, here I am...strategically positioned in El Tigre (population 250.000 at the moment and on the verge of an economic/population boom because of the Orinoco belt reserves findings), where petro-dollars flow freely and large cities are but a mere 1-2 hours away (by car), in every direction (plus Brazil is very close).

So I ask you...can anyone here put me in touch with a "mover-and-shaker" in the Colombian clothing business in Medallo, so I can help fill the void the lives of these deprived venezolanitas??? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks and God bless!

By critter on Sep 30, 2007, 08:50 in Friendly Talkzone.

plokij says on Oct 1, 2007, 04:11:

you might want to contact Zuan, a former PBH member.
Originally from Bucaramanga, he resides in Bogota now.
As a fashion photographer he has close ties to the industry
and used to run some import/export business himself.

He might know the right people in Medellin.

- former PBH member Zuan:
Mr. Zuan Carreño, photographer
Studio: Av. 24 # 39-79 Ap. 403 Park Way
Bogota, D.C., Colombia, South America
Cel: 300 289 2747
Tel: 759 33 08

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gringoloid says on Oct 1, 2007, 07:35:

I recommend Raayy for the job. He is a savvy medallo businessman and he can develop and care for a staff of hotties.

All kidding aside, I think you need an import/export lawyer first, because every question you have will get 10 different answers.

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peterNC says on Oct 1, 2007, 15:10:

I have a French friend who now lives in Cartagena... very well connected in the Medellin area... I'll have to do some digging to find his info as we've not spoken since I saw in there in November of last year...let me know if you're interested...

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john_stark says on Oct 1, 2007, 21:06:

You've got bigger problems than just getting the goods. How are you going to get them into VZ? You don't think the Colombian lingerie makers don't already know of the demand in VZ? Or are they just stupid Colombianos who don't know any better? I mean you know how much smarter gringos are than Colombians.

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dwmte7 says on Oct 5, 2007, 10:55:

yo critter...

i do indeed know someone from the textile business...an ex-coltejer VP in charge of sales internationally...travelled extensively in europe, etc.

however, this lady is very formal and discreet, and not a bit interested in some jive merchant full of hip aphorisms. just a very acomplished lady who's been a friend of mine for years. she and her husband have a very successful business in medellin.

e me and convince me that by putting you in touch with her, i wont regret it later.

dwmte7 at yahoo.com

dw

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Oct 5, 2007, 10:55:

dwmte

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