IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL BUSINESS CUSTOMS Working hours: In Bogota, banks and government offices are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday with half an hour extra on Friday. On the last banking day of the month, banks are only opened until noontime. Stores are normally open between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays; some open for a few hours on Sunday. Outside of Bogota banks, offices and stores close for two hours at noontime for lunch. Weights and Measures: Although the metric system is used, weight is done by pounds and gasoline is sold by the gallon. Urban land is measured in square "varas" (80 centimeters by 80 centimeters). Rural land is in some regions measured by cuadras or fanegadas (80 meters by 80 meters) and in others by hectareas (100 meters by 100 meters). A hectare is equivalent to 2.471 acres. Language: It is advisable to have some knowledge of Spanish although many executives/businessmen speak English. Be prepared with good quality promotional materials of your product line. This includes technical materials. If possible, small samples will make your company visit more effective during preliminary negotiations. Try to have company literature in Spanish. Climate: Bogot 's weather is almost perennial springtime. Maximum temperature is 22 Celsius. Minimum temperature between 2 to 6 Celsius. (Daytime: upper 60's, nightime in the 40's in Bogota). The rest of the country is tropical or semi-tropical. Clothing will depend largely on the climate of the region which you are going to visit. In Bogota and Andean region, dress is more formal than in the tropical areas. A dress outfit (suit and tie for men) is always required for business or evening engagements. In warmer areas (Cali, Cartagena and other coastal cities) where temperature is between 25 and 28 C, cotton is more comfortable, dress is less formal and coat and tie are usually worn only for formal meetings; for women, cotton dresses are very common. Business Culture: Colombians often conduct business through working breakfasts and lunches, cocktails. Colombian business executives are increasingly using these alternatives in obtaining contacts and to finalize business details in an informal environment. U.S. businessmen must be concise in order to make sales visits effective. This can be achieved if he/she know in advance their potential customer's facts such as reputation, purchasing power, financial, credit and trade record. Get a reliable credit rating and bank reference on your negotiating party. In negotiating agreements and contracts, pay attention to formality, personal relationships and building of trust. The Colombians want to know you better personally before deciding whether you are trustworthy and if you are the kind of person they want to continue dealing with in the future. TRAVEL ADVISORY Visitors to Colombia are advised to avoid traveling to certain zones of the country. Additional information can be found at the Office of Commercial, Legislative, and Public Affairs, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington D.C. 20520-5816. Telephone (202) 647-1942. Upon arrival U.S. citizens are urged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota at Calle 38 No.8-61, Telephone: (011 571) 320-1300. Here they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Colombia. With reasonable precautions against theft, you can reduce your risk to a level comparable to what you might expect in any large city of the world; particularly do not leave valuables exposed in hotel rooms, vehicles or on your person. Please leave them in the hotel safe. Pickpocketing, jewelry and purse snatching, and robbery are common crimes in certain areas of Bogota. VISAS There are a number of different kinds of visas required by the Colombian Government, depending on the status of the individual: Diplomatic, Official, Service, Courtesy, Business, Resident, Temporary and Immigrant Visa. Businessmen, traders, industrialists and executives wishing to do business in Colombia can hold Business Visas, valid for up to three years, renewable. This visa can also be used for multiple entry to Colombia for up to six months' stay per visit. The visa is free and can be obtained at the Colombian embassy in Washington D.C. or at any Colombian consulate. For current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Colombia, travelers can contact the Colombian Embassy located in Washington D.C. at 2118 Leroy Place, N.W.; Washington D.C, 20008; Tel: (202) 387-8339. Consulates are located in: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, East Lake (OH), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Saint Louis, Wheeling (WV) and San Juan, (PR). HOLIDAYS In 1984, Colombia passed a law moving many holiday celebration to the following Mondays. These long weekends are called bridges (Puentes) Official holidays in Colombia during 1994/1995 are as follows: Independence Day July 20/94 Battle of Boyaca August 7/94 Assumption Day* August 15/94 Columbus Day* October 12/94 All Saints Day* November 1/94 Independence Of Cartagena* November 11/94 Feast of the Inmaculate Conception December 8/94 Christmas Day December 25/94 New Years Day January 1/95 Epiphany* January 6/95 St. Joseph's Day* March 19/95 Holy Thursday April 13/95 Good Friday April 14/95 Labor Day May 1/95 Ascension Day May 29/95 Feast of the Sacred Heart June 19/95 Corpus Christi June 26/95 Saints Peter and Paul* June 29/95 * When holidays marked with an asterisk do not fall on Monday, they are transferred to the following Monday. BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE Transportation Airports: International airports are located in the cities of Bogota, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Cali and Medellin. Direct air connections to many U.S. cities are available. Service is currently provided by Avianca, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, ACES Airlines and other international carriers. The crime level at international airports is especially high for foreign business persons or tourists entering the country for the first time. Roads: Although the mountainous topography makes it difficult to construct and maintain roads, main cities are connected by a fairly good road network. Nearly 14,200 kilometers are paved. The major Atlantic port cities of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta are joined by the Caribbean Trunk Highway Road. On the Pacific coast, the main port, Buenaventura is linked to Cali and Bogota by a highway system. Road building will be boosted by the economic opening; 15 year concessions for construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of roads are planned. Ports: Colombia has three major ports on the Atlantic Coast: Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta and Buenaventura on the Pacific Coast. Currently 8,400 million tons of freight are moved annually, with an estimated movement of 34,000 million tons from 1994 thru 1997. Due to the process of privatization, the State retains a supervisory role while the private sector takes over the daily administration and maintenance. Port fees will be subject to government administered concessions. There are some privately owned ports which handle specialized cargo: petroleum, coal and bananas. Railroads: The railway transport system extends over 3,200 kilometers, with tracks and equipment that require substantial improvement. No regular passenger service is provided and there is a very limited and poor freight transport facility. With the creation of a new railway authority, Ferrovias, the government plans to reorganize and recondition this network. This organization will be responsible for the administration, control and maintenance of the same. Private or mixed-capital enterprises may be created in the future for rail transport operations. Telecommunications: The telecommunication sector is gradually undergoing the process of modernization and privatization. Colombia is linked to other countries via satellite, fiber optics and undersea cable. The Congress has recently approved the operation of the cellular telephone networks with private investment, local and foreign. Media: Colombia has 46 daily newspapers, 650 radio stations, three nation-wide TV channels and four regional channels. Cable TV is available in the main cities. Education: School attendance in Colombia is compulsory for five years of primary school, which is free. Primary schools constitute 69 per cent of all educational institutes in urban areas and 99 per cent in rural areas. Secondary, university and post- graduate education is of a high standard. Approximately 75 per cent of all students are in primary school and about five per cent complete university studies. The literacy rate of 91 per cent has produced a competitive and relatively highly educated work-force. The state has a national apprenticeship service, SENA, to provide training in technological areas. It has 115 training centers around the country. Food: Colombian food is a combination of Spanish, African and native influence. A typical Colombian dish does not exist, due to the variety of climates; each region has developed its own cuisine, according to what is grown locally. Health: There are no special medical problems associated with living in Colombia. Precaution is recommended with regard to malaria in the coastal areas. Potable drinking water is readily available throughout the country. Medical services, doctors and hospitals are adequate and readily available in the larger cities. Housing/Hotels: Due to the construction boom in recent years in the capital, housing for business executives is readily available. In Bogota, apartment living is the preferred situation for security reasons. Apartments are spacious and modern and there are sufficient rental units on the market. The housing situation differs in each locale. The facilities and services in the major hotels are essentially the same as in the United States. Some hotels in Bogota are: Tequendama Intercontinental, Travel Lodge (near downtown), Bogota Royal, Hacienda Royal, Bogota Plaza and Cosmos 100 (in the north of town). Prices range between USD 130 to USD 200, single room. In Medellin: Intercontinental Hotel, Poblado Plaza and Las Lomas (Rionegro). In Cali, Intercontinental Hotel. Many U.S. hotel chains are currently constructing hotels throughout the country. Most U.S. travel agents have updated information on new hotels here.