As the Andean Country gets a US duty-free access under a new preferential treatment the apparel exports of Colombia to US were seen rising in the first quarter.

The current strength in the Colombian peso could limit ATPDEA's impact in the short term, however.

Colombian apparel exports to the United States rose 48.66% in volume terms in the first quarter while increasing by 42.56% in value terms at US$109 million.

Although shipments are still at a very low level, they already exceed US imports from Russia, Lesotho or the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to a quota free access to the United States, Colombia now benefits from a duty-free status since 1 November 2002, under the so-called Andean Trade Preference and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA).

The US previously granted a duty-free access to a large series of industrial products from Andean countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru), but apparel were not eligible items.