For almost 3 years, Integration has been developing the Inward Investment programme from the Department for International Trade in the United Kingdom in all of Latin America, except for Brazil and Mexico, to help companies take their operations to the UK. For companies to have a more realistic vision of the market, the Inward Investment Latam Programme team organizes missions in which Integration accompanies the groups in the region to show them the opportunities. The Commercial Mission for Colombian companies took place between October 31st and November 4th. Over 30 entrepreneurs traveled from Colombia to the United Kingdom seeking new opportunities to internationalize their businesses.

The mission had the objective of strengthening the commercial relations between the United Kingdom and Colombia, through the access to information and benefits offered to companies who wish to expand their operations to the United Kingdom. The week contemplated distinct activities that were thought and organized to comply with the information needs from the companies who participated. Some of the activities were:

• Explanatory seminars on how to get installed in the United Kingdom (Company registration, bank account, taxes, visas, entrepreneurial culture, among others)
• Round Table with specialists from the industry
• Meetings with accountants and law offices
• Visit to associations and co-working spaces.
• Meetings with Managers from the UKTI HQ project.
• Presentation on investment opportunities in London, Manchester and Northern Ireland.
• Meetings with VCs and angel investors.
• Meetings and networking with ICT companies.
• Visit to Manchester and Belfast
• Participation in the Colombia Day and presidential visit to Belfast

The mission was a great opportunity for participating companies to work on international expansion with the United Kingdom as their destination. The visit provided a general vision of the market and was determining to conclude the business internationalization project.

Find out more about the programme here.