An agreement signed this week between IOM Colombia and Carrefour
Colombia paves the way for the sale of products made by vulnerable
populations in the French retailer's 35 stores in Colombia.

Products covered under the agreement include items for home
decor, office supplies, handicrafts and clothing made by displaced
persons, victims of human trafficking and minors demobilized from
the illegal armed groups, and Afro-Colombians and indigenous
populations.

The initiative stems from IOM's Social Marketing Strategy, which
seeks to improve the levels of economic sustainability that are
part of the Organization's income-generating projects. These
initiatives have received financial support from the governments of
the United States, Canada, Holland and Italy.

In its first year of operations, the IOM Social Marketing
Strategy has provided support to 10 groups in eight regions. This
has translated into some USD 33,000 in sales or an increase of more
than 20 per cent of the total sales for all groups. The strategy
has also succeeded in opening 23 new commercial channels.

The Vice President of Carrefour Colombia, Grégoire
Kauffman, said during the signing ceremony, "Beyond having good
products and prices for Colombians at Carrefour, we have developed
a policy of sustainable development and social support. This is why
we are joining IOM to support micro-entrepreneurs who frequently,
due to economic problems, find it impossible to advertise and sell
their products."

The alliance between Carrefour Colombia and IOM will strengthen
income-generating projects that benefit some 1,500 people, which
are contributing to their socio-economic stabilization.

For more information on IOM's Social Marketing Strategy, visit
"http://www.oim.org.co/" target="_blank" title=
"">http://www.oim.org.co/ or contact:

Jorge Andres Gallo

IOM Colombia

Tel: 57.311 5619495 or 57.1.622 77 74 ext. 114

E-mail: "mailto:jgallo@oim.org.co">jgallo@oim.org.co