The Department of Commerce’s Foreign Commercial Service in Colombia is leading the charge in promoting U.S. franchises in Colombia and is excited to announce the first Franchise Trade Mission for U.S. companies who are looking to grow their brands in the South American Markets.   The 2012 Franchise Times-IFA-U.S. Commercial Service Certified Franchise Trade Mission to Panama, Colombia and Chile is scheduled for August 26 to August 31 and is designed to connect U.S. companies with qualified potential business partners in these rapidly expanding markets.  This Trade Mission presents a solid opportunity for international franchise development through briefings, key networking events, cultural visits and qualified investor meetings in Panama City, Bogota and Santiago and allows you to take advantage of the two of the most recently approved Free Trade Agreements!   The U.S. Commercial Service Industry and Franchise Specialists will evaluate each applicant and select the Top 14 Concepts determined to have the highest probability of success in these markets.  If you’re a Colombian company interested in meeting with a U.S. franchise or you’re a U.S. franchise interested in exploring these markets, please contact Juan Carlos Antia at juan.antia@trade.gov.  Also, please read more on U.S. Franchises in Colombia in Franchise Business and Law Alert.