According to Colombia’s statistics agency, leather goods were among the items which helped boost the country’s exports 17% to $1 billion in March, compared with the year earlier period.

Exports of non-traditional products, such as leather goods, textiles, steel, pearls and precious metals, rose 25% to $559 million during the month. Colombia’s exports to the US increased 19% to $256 million; however exports to Venezuela declined 21% to less than $1 million, due to currency controls and a 29% contraction in the Venezuelan economy crippling its purchase power.

In the first quarter of 2003, the Colombian economy generated its fastest growth since 1998. Analysts predict that strong sales of goods abroad may help the country to sustain this trend.

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