Republic of ColombiaColombia

Population: 44,205,293
Comparison to the world: 28
(July 2010 est.)

Capital: Bogota

Time Difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Land Area: 1,138,914 sq km
Comparison to the world: 26

Border countries:
Brazil 1,644 km
Ecuador 590 km
Panama 225 km
Peru 1,800 km
Venezuela 2,050 km

GDP (purchasing power parity):
US $401 billion (2009 est.)
Comparison to the world: 29

Source: CIA World Factbook

Conclusion

Colombia’s growing economy, relatively young population and improving information and communication infrastructure present an opportunity for it to become a leader in global technology outsourcing locations. Conveniently located in GMT -5, Colombia shares a time zone with much of the Eastern United States. The low cost of entry, high levels of government support, and a rapidly developing workforce make Colombia an attractive option for US-based technology firms looking for real-time software support or development efforts. Colombia may also be attractive for firms looking to supplement their support centers elsewhere in the world as part of a follow-the-sun approach to development and software support.

While Colombia’s ICT infrastructure and technology currently lags behind more developed nations, the country is rapidly advancing and is well-positioned to become a global IT center in the coming decade.

References

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Central Intelligence Agency. (2010). CIA World Factbook- Colombia. CIA.

Karamouzis, F., Dreyfuss, C. (2010). Gartner's Leading Locations for Offshore Services in the Americas for 2010. Gartner, Inc.

Margolis, M. (2010, July 2). www.newsweek.com. Retrieved August 12, 2010, from Newsweek:http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/02/colombia-unleashes-the-civets.html

Marriott, I. (2009). Gartner's 30 Leading Locations for Offshore Services. Gartner, Inc.

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Reuters. (2010, April 27). www.reuters.com. Retrieved August 12, 2010, from Reuters:http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE63Q26Q20100427

EVD International, kwartaal I - 2010:
http://www.evd.nl/zoeken/showbouwsteen.asp?bstnum=265870

National Information Society Agency, NIA Takes Part in Colombia ICT On-Site Training, Author KyungYeon Kim: http://old.nia.or.kr/open_content/board

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http://www.latin-focus.com/latinfocus/countries/latam/latpopulation.htm

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http://www.ustr.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/agreements/fta/colombia/asset_upload_file324_10191.pdf

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http://export.gov/static/ITA%20Products07_Latest_eg_main_017612.pdf

Senator Chris Dodd. Dodd Delivers Speech in Support of Colombia and Panama Free Trade Agreements. July 29, 2010.
http://dodd.senate.gov/?q=node/5739

Bloomberg Business Week. Canadian Lawmakers Approve Free Trade Agreement With Colombia
June 14, 2010.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-14/canadian-lawmakers-approve-free-trade-agreement-with-colombia.html

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http://www.dane.gov.co/daneweb_V09/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105&Itemid=61

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