First Andean Region Fiber Optic Cable Plant Breaks Ground in August 2013

Once Furukawa’s Argentine fiber optic cable manufacturing plant was on stable footing, Colombia’s strategically located Valle del Cauca was next on its list for broadening its horizons.

The city of Palmira was selected by the Japanese multinational to continue its fiber optic cable production push around the wider Andean/Central American region. This ambitious expansion will meet domestic and Pacific Basin demand by leveraging Colombia’s robust array of Free Trade Agreements.

“Our aim is to expand our international impact with our comprehensive IT and telecommunications products and meet specific needs in each country by working directly alongside our clients from conception and on through to the actual implementation phase with on-going solid advice on what type of cable and construction best suits their needs”, said Foad Shaikhzadeh, President of Furukawa in Latin America.

María Claudia Lacouture, President of Proexport added that “the Pacific Alliance is a particular attraction of Atlantic-based Brazilian investors, who readily identify with the competitive advantages of setting up their companies in Colombia so they can access the Pacific-based Chilean and Peruvian markets. They can also see the advantage of using Colombia as a springboard for exporting up to the US and to other Free Trade Agreement nations”. María Eugenia Lloreda, Executive Director at Invest Pacific said, “the arrival of a tech company the caliber of Furukawa creates a competitive improvement in the Valle del Cauca region and boosts employment, because it need qualified telecommunications and IT staff, which is slated to be sent overseas for in-depth training.”

Furukawa

The Furukawa Group was founded in 1884 in Japan spearheaded by the original Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. It has been internationally active in Telecommunications, Electronics, Automotive Systems, Energy, Metals and Servicios stretching back 129 years and touching the breadth and width of a multitude of industrial segments. Its international network spans Asia, North America, Europa, Africa and Latin America.

In 1974, Furukawa set up shop in Brazil with its electrical cable plant. In 1977, it opened one of the world’s most state-of-the-art telecommunications cable plants in the city of Curitiba.  In 2001, Optical Fiber Solution (a Lucent Technologies Grupo company) was acquired by Furukawa OFS. This union grew into one of the world’s leading fiber optic providers and its largest telecommunications patent developer to date.

Fiber Optic Cables

Agile fiber optic cables have the ability to adapt to varying geographic conditions. It fits seamlessly into energy grids, roadway systems and gas networks, just to mention a few. Fiber optics is also noise and electromagnetic-interference resistant.

Invest Pacific

Invest Pacific is an Investment Promotion Agency for the Colombian Pacific. IP is a non-profit public-private sector organization set up in conjunction with the Department of Valle del Cauca, the Cali Mayor’s Office, local chambers of commerce, free trade zones, and over 80 private companies to generate jobs and sustainable development around the region, as well as attract and expedite national and foreign investment around the region and support re-investment projects.

Proexport Colombia

Proexport Colombia is set up to attract direct foreign investment, foster non-mining energy export and promote tourism in Colombia.

Proexport’s global 30-branch network works alongside businesses to provide comprehensive consulting with its specialized services and tools aimed at paving the road toward internationalization and in turn generate, move ahead on and close business deals.

For further information and to set up interviews with Furukawa and Invest Pacific administration, contact:
Victoria Eugenia Molina
Communications and Marketing Coordinator at Invest Pacific
Landline: 893-7882
Mobile: 300-823-4403 or 318-871-8762
www.investpacific.org