RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/G/372  
24 April 2018 
(18-2540) Page: 1/16 
Trade Policy Review Body  Original:  Spanish  
 
   
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
REPORT BY  
COLOMBIA  
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishing the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization), the policy statement by 
Colombia is attached.  
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circulation and press emb argo until the end of the 
first session of the meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body on Colombia.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  CONT ENTS  
1  COLOMBIA: MACROECONOMIC, TRADE AND INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT  ...................  3 
1.1  Overview: creating the conditions to make the most of the peace  ................................ ....... 3 
2  COLOMBIA'S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE  ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
2.1  Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  4 
2.2  Competitiveness and productivity  growth  ................................ ................................ ........  5 
2.3  Using the regions to develop rur al areas and tourism  ................................ ........................  7 
3  TRADE POLICY AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF PEACE  ................................ ....................  8 
3.1  Overview  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  8 
3.2  Multilateral, regional and bilateral developments  ................................ ............................  11 
3.2.1   Multilateral environment: compli ance with and strengthening of WTO rules, and 
accession to the OECD  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 11 
3.2.2   Regional and bilateral spheres  ................................ ................................ ...................  13 
3.2.3   New issues in the globalized world  ................................ ................................ .............  14 
4  CONCLUSIONS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  15 
 
 
  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  1  COLOMBIA : MACROECONOMIC, TRADE AND INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT  
1.1  Overview : creating the conditions to make the most of the peace  
1.1.  During the previous Trade Policy Review the Government of Colombia shared  its 
four-year plan for 2010 –2014 "Prosperity for All " with WTO Members . The Plan  sought to bolster 
security, social cohesion and investor confidence, and to make determined  progress in the 
Government's policy of democratic prosperity . 
1.2.  For the four -year period from 2014 to 2018, encompassing the bulk of this fifth review, the 
Colombian Government drew up the National Development Plan "All together  for a new country ".1 
The plan addresses  the task of building a peaceful, equita ble, educated Colombia , aligned with  
international best practice and standards , taking  an approach based on long -term planning that 
encompasses  the country 's sustainable development goals.  
1.3.  In addition to the three core pillars (Peace, Equity and Education), the plan incorporates a 
number of cross -cutting strategies, namely strategic infrastructure and competitiveness ; social 
mobility ; rural development ; security, justice and democracy for peace -building ; good 
governance ; and green growth . In order to promote economic development , it also include s 
regional strategies to address the priorities of the six areas into which the national territory has 
been divided . 
1.4.  Special attention should be drawn to the peace pillar. Thanks to the efforts made by 
President of the Republic, his iron will, the help of many Colombian citizens, the international 
community and governments of various nations, following four years of arduous negotiations the 
Agreement for the Construction of a  Lasting, Stable Peace was signed with the Revolutionary 
Armed Forces (FARC) in November  2016, ending more than 50 years of violence that had resulted 
in eight million victims and 220,000 deaths . 
1.5.  The President noted in his speech at the signature of the Pe ace Agreement that "The areas 
affected by the conflict are already beginning to reap the dividends of  the peace . The homicide 
rate is at its lowest level for 42 years, the terrorist threat and the numbers of Armed Forces 
personnel wounded in combat have fa llen by half, the country no longer has the world 's highest 
number of kidnappings and there are more instruments guaranteeing the exercise of citizens ' 
rights . Moreover, the economy is taking off and investors ' confidence in the country has grown . 
The worl d can now enjoy the tourism potential offered by  places that were previously off -limits 
because of the conflict ; investment is mushrooming in the areas where there is peace and the 
projections are  for additional average growth of 1.9 % in GDP for the 10 years following signature 
of the agreement ".2 
1.6.  During the review period , the Government pursued its drive  to attain higher productivity and 
competitiveness , increase non -mining/ energy (NME)3 exports in order to offset fluctuations in 
international commodity prices , stimulat e sustainable employment , and revitaliz e tourism  – an 
area that is showing significant potential.  
1.7.  Specifically, in the foreign trade sector, the major target in the National Development Plan is 
to increase Colombia 's exports of NME goods an d services in 2018 to US$21  billion and 
US$9  billion respectively, and to attract US$16  billion in foreign direct investment . To that end 
there is a heavy emphasis on making full use of trade and investment agreements.  
1.8.  Additionally, as part of the strategy  to gain effective access for Colombian products and 
services to markets in countries where  there are no trade agreements in force, the Government 
has worked hard to continue its active participation in the international forums that lay down the 
rules of t he game  in world trade . The country plans to achieve best practice in public policy 
through initiatives such as accession to the Organisation for Economic Co -operation and 
Development (OECD) and the adoption of its standards in order to secure recognition that 
                                                
1 National Planning Department (DNP) – National Development Plan 2014 -2018.  
2 DNP and Policy Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (DSEPP), President's report to the Congress – 
2017.  
3 NME exports are total exports less exports of oil and its derivatives, coal, ferro -nickel, emeralds and 
other mining pr oducts. Classification: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  "Colombia has changed hugely, is inspiring  confidence and championing its incorporation into the 
most important international economic and political arenas ". 
2  COLOMBIA'S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE  
2.1  Overview  
2.1.  During the review period, Colombia maintained an orderly macroeconomic policy that  
responded effectively to the new international environment . As a result the Colombian economy 
was able to maintain a growth rate above the average for Latin America and the Caribbean despite 
the fall in commodity prices to  their lowest level since 2004 . Colombia grew  by 2% in 2016 and 
1.8% in 2017 , achieving the third -highest GDP growth rate  in the region behind Peru and Mexico.  
2.2.  In 2015 the Government adopted the Productivity and Employment Promotion Plan 2.0 
(PIPE  2.0)4 aimed at  boost ing economic development by increasing investment in infrastructure, 
education, public works, urban and rural housing, industry, tourism and mining.  
2.3.  After focusing on consolidating  the country 's main  macroeconomic indicators  in 2016, d uring 
2017 the Government built on this foundation with the "Colombia Bounces Back "5 programme, an 
economic stimulus plan that granted tax incentiv es to encourage  private -sector investment ; 
increase public investment in the 4G network, the tertiary roads network, house  building and 
greater use of royalties for regional development ; and to provide  resources for post-conflict 
projects . 
2.4.  The Colombian economy has received international recognition for its stability and growth . 
The World Bank ranked it the fourth best p lace for doing business in Latin America and the 
Caribbean while the Inter -American Development Bank noted that it had the highest growth in 
financial inclusion of all emerging countries, and the magazine The Economist  named Colombia as 
"Country of the Yea r" in 2016.  
2.5.  By end -2017 inflation stood at 3.99 %, five percentage points lower than its 2016 peak, and 
very close to the target set by the Central Bank of Colombia (Banco de la República (BRC)) . The 
current account deficit fell from 6.4 % of GDP to 4.3 % between 2015 and 2016, and in 
December  2017 was 3.3 % of GDP . The rating agencies again gave Colombia a sovereign debt 
credit rating of "adequate ", generating a good level of confidence among investors.  
2.6.  The most noteworthy achievements were in the country 's 4G networks, the impetus on  social 
issues , the Peace Process, and tax reform . These are strategic policies that have led to improved 
economic performance, greater confidence among investors and better coverage of all Colombians ' 
domestic needs.  
2.7.  Also wort hy of note is the country 's strong performance in reducing poverty and 
unemployment . Multidimensional poverty in Colombia has continued to fall since 2010 , when it 
was 30.4 %, and in 2016 it stood at 17.8 %.6 Unemployment at end -2017 was 9.4 %, one of the 
lowest levels in the country 's history . 
2.8.  With regard to  the external sector, despite the fact that exports of NME goods fell annually by 
6.9% between 2014 and 2016, the Government continued to implement strategies to diversify 
exports as part of its commitm ent to economic growth and more extensive use of trade 
agreements . Notable among these are processes to ensure compliance with sanitary  requirements 
for prod ucts such as beef, Hass avocado and  tropical fruits, and support for national enterprises 
and forei gn buyers through measures including business round -tables and the development of 
trade agendas , through ProColombia, the national export, investment and tourism promotion 
agency . These measures have helped Colombia to take advantage of the recent recovery  in global 
external demand and rising international price s. 
                                                
4 Ministry of Finance and Public Credit. Press Release 043 Communications Office, May  2015.  
5 Office of the President of the Republic. Presentation on Colombia Bounces Back by Mauricio Cárden as 
Santamaría, Minister of Finance and Public Credit, March  2017, available online at www.presidencia.gov.co . 
6 National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), available online at: 
http://www.dane.gov.co/index.php/estadisticas -por-tema/pobreza -y-condiciones -de-vida/pobreza -y-
desigualdad/pobreza -monetaria -y-multidimensional -en-colombia -2016. WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  2.9.  Exports of services grew by 12 % between 2014 and 2016, consolidating the upward trend . 
Exports rose to US$8 ,326 million  between January and December  2017, up 8.4 % on the 
previous  year. 
2.10.   In 2016 the  deficit in the balance of trade in goods fell by 28 % and the services trade deficit 
with other countries narrow ed by 32 %. This trend continued in goods and at end -2017 the trade 
deficit fell by 44 % whereas the services deficit rose by 13.9 % despite the strong performance  of 
exports, up by 8.4 % as mentioned above . 
2.11.   The Government 's efforts to diversify exports and ensure compliance  with admissibility 
requirements  began to be reflected in performance  at end -2017. NME exports  of goods rose 5.3 % 
by value and 9.8 % by volume compared to 2016 , and the current account deficit as a proportion 
of GDP shrank  from -4.3% to -3.3%.7 Sales of some products gre w in 2017 compared to 2016, 
for example parts of turbines to the United States (1,400 %); edible oils  to Ecuador (554 %) and 
Brazil (179 %); sugar to Peru (284 %); vehicles to Chile (186 %); and beauty products to 
Mexico  (164%). 
2.12.   As part  of the policy to attract foreign direct investment, the Government introduced 
measures  to increase foreign business interest  in Colombia  and took steps  to support potential 
investors from various countries . The results are clear from the fact that FDI recorded in 2017 was 
US$14 ,518 million, or 4.8 % greater than the prior year , and accounted for 4.7 % of GDP ; 
additionally, that f igure is 125.7 % higher than that recorded in 2010.8 
2.13.   The policies to attract FDI included the issuance in January  2017 of Decree No.  119 
modernizing the foreign  investment regime in order to increase the competitiveness of the 
Colombian market . A major chan ge was the removal of time -limits and formalities for registering 
investments and the consequent  disappearance of  the penalties prescribed for failure to comply 
with those conditions in a timely fashion.  
2.14.   Apart from growth in inward foreign investment, anot her notable factor  is the strong 
diversification in the sectors receiving investment . In 2010, 76.5 % of FDI inflows went to  
extractive activities in the mining and energy sector, and only 23.5 % to other sectors . In 2017 
however, 69.6 % of FDI inflows  went t o sectors such as transport ation and storage ; manufactures ; 
agriculture ; electricity, gas and water ; construction ; commerce and restaurants ; financial 
establishments and local community  services, while o nly 30.4 % went to the oil and mining sectors . 
The leading sector was transport ation, storage and communications, with total investment of 
US$3 ,465 million, representing growth of 131.7 % over the previous  year. The significant growth in 
manufacturing  FDI, which rose by 23.3 % compared to 2016 , is also strik ing. 
2.15.   In conclusion, the Colombian economy managed to withstand the fall in commodity prices , 
and embarked on a phase of economic growth just as the region was affected by external shocks . 
The strength of the economy is the result of responsible macroeconom ic policies such as the 
inflation target set by the Central Bank, the fiscal rule applied since 2012, the two reforms of the 
General Royalties Scheme, the plans launched to stimulate production in the economy (PIPE 1.0 
and 2.0 and Colombia Bounces Back), t he structural tax reform at end -2016, and sound 
management of fiscal and monetary policy.  
2.2  Competitiveness and productivity  growth  
2.16.   When formulating the current Development Plan 2014 -2018, the analysis of outcomes for 
competitiveness showed that despite the fact that appropriate policies had resulted in a period of 
sustained economic growth of close to 5 % between 2010 and 2014, the average rise in 
productivity had been only 0.4 %. This clearly pointed to a limiting factor preventing the country 
from achieving higher economic growth rates .9 
2.17.    Accordingly, in order  to promote productivity through competitiveness and overcome the 
lags in  capital stock , especially in physical transport infrastructure , a strategy was devised that  
                                                
7 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism. Estimates from the Office of Economic Studies using  data 
provided by the BRC.  
8 Data provided by the BRC (www.banrep.gov.co ). 
9 DNP. Basis for the National Development Plan 2014 -2018.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  would : (i) increase the productivity of Colombian businesses by making the production  base more 
sophisticated and diversified , (ii) contribute to productive development and address the country 's 
social challenges through science, technology and innovation, (iii) promote information and 
commun ications technologies as a springboard for equity , education and competitiveness ; 
(iv) provide the infrastructure and logistics services for transportation required for regional 
integration ; and (v) consolidate development in mining and energy for equitabl e regional 
development.  
2.18.   One of the targets focused  on increasing the productivity of 2,000  businesses . To that end, 
various programmes and strategies for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were  
developed . Between 2014 and 2016 , 784 enterprises, pl us a further 100  enterprises in 2017, 
reported increased productivity, moving them up from the category of underdeveloped production 
units into that of strengthened enterprises that continuously focus on improving their processes.  
2.19.   The beneficiary enterpris es are chiefly in the fashion system sector (70 %), followed by 
agro-industry (12%) with lesser percentages in other sectors including construction, electricity , 
services and furniture in various regions of the country . Particularly noteworthy  is the increase of 
over 15 % achieved by a Red -i cooperative through its  effect on 86  business people  who were 
victim s of the armed conflict and 88  production processes in indigenous and African -Colombi an 
communities under the Market  Inclusion Programme (PROIM ), led by the Ministry of Trade , 
Industry and Tourism, which seeks to improve production processes and build the commercial 
capacity of the associated enterprises.  
2.20.   The Colombian Government views it  essential that the policies and programmes on 
competitiveness should  dovetail with the science, technology and innovation system  and be 
supported by the private sector . 
2.21.   In August  2016, the National Economic and Social  Policy  Council (CONPES)  approved the 
National Productive Development Policy10, defined as a toolkit of sectoral, cross -cutting 
instruments to correct failures in the market, government and coordination that restrict 
productivity growth or make it more difficult to upgrade  the Colombian production  system and 
make it more innovative . The chief aim of the p olicy is to increase the productivity and 
diversification of the production  system  and focus it on more diversified and sophisticated goods 
and services.  
2.22.   Along those lines, it is the Government 's intention to make Colombia one of the three most 
innovative countries in Latin  America by 2025 . Accordingly, innovation is one of the core pillars of 
the Productive Development Policy.  
2.23.   Various activities have been developed as a result, including the launching  of the Scientific 
Colombia Programme (developed in asso ciation with the Ministry of Education, Colciencias and the 
Colombian Institute for Educational Loans and Technical Studies Abroad (Icetex) . The programme 
aims to bolster  business innovation by building capacity in managing innovation, knowledge and 
techno logy; and by developing new products and services , open innovation, and corporate 
entrepreneurship . It offers  high-level human resource training, co -financing for master 's degrees 
and doctorates, and support for setting up new spaces for interaction to drive programmes 
addressing  the social and economic development challenges that the regions  have to overcome .11 
2.24.   Another core strategy has been to improve Colombia 's rankings in world competitiveness 
indices  (i.e. Doing Business , the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the International Institute for 
Management Development (IMD)  indices ). This has involved prioritizing the types of variables to 
be targeted in  a communications strategy to publicize the progress made in such a way as to 
impact  positively on the country 's ranking . The strategy consisted in pinpointing  the factors 
included in  competitiveness indicators where Colombia  has historically performed weakly but which 
significant ly affected  our country 's current ranking , namely  transport , education, security, and 
combating corruption.  
                                                
10 DNP (www.dnp.gov.co ). 
11 Management Report 2017, Trade, Industry and Tourism Sector.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  2.25.   In 2017 Colombia 's ranking in the World Bank 's Doing Business was 59th out of 
190 countries, two places higher than the 61st place it was awarded in 2016 . It ranks fourth in 
Latin America behind Mexico, Chil e and Peru . In the May 2017 edition of the IMD, Colombia 
retained its position as the region 's third most competitive economy with a ranking of 54th. 
2.26.   In order to combat smuggling  more effectively , a new strategy , "Lawfulness and Combatting 
Smuggling ", was put in place  in coordination with the corresponding national authorities  
(the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN), the Customs and Excise Police (Polfa) and the 
Financial Information and Analysis Division ( UIAF) ), the private sector and regional en tities. 
Additionally, a special group , the "Anti-Smuggling Monitoring Committee ", was established 
comprising representatives from the Ministry of Trade , Industry and Tourism, the Supervisory 
Authority for Industry and Trade, DIAN, Polfa, the National Polic e, the Office of the Public 
Prosecutor, UIAF, the Colombian Agricultural Institute and the National Food and Drug Surveillance 
Institute (INVIMA) . The group focuses,  among other things , on identifying and dis mantl ing 
structures and organizations involved i n smuggling, money  laundering and financing 
illicit activities.  
2.27.   The Single Window for Business (VUE) was established in November  2017 as a strategy to 
facilitate business activity by streamlining procedures . Consisting of a web  portal, it is gradually 
centralizing the procedures involved in creating, running and closing companies and is supported 
by a long -term strategy for public -private sector coordination to promote and facilitate b usiness 
activity in the country  and cut costs and red tape  by removing market entry and exit barriers.  
2.3  Using the regions to develop rural areas and tourism  
2.28.   The Productive Development Policy comprises seven areas identified as key to achieving the 
policy objective . One of them is the  implement ation of  a business i nformation system that will : 
identify businesses, the products they supply and the region where they are based ; promote credit 
lines and co -financing resources to develop suppliers ; and develop  market studies  and surveys  in 
order  to generate information geared to the  consolidat ion of  production linkages, in other words 
match ing supply to demand.  
2.29.   Through this initiative and in  cooperation with the private sector, regions have built their 
capacity to identify business segments with potential for growth as wel l as the measures that will, 
when implemented, enable them to compete successfully on global markets . Regionalization of 
supply from the trade , industry and tourism sector is supported by Regional Competitiveness 
Commissions and all the entities that parti cipate in them ( departmental g overn ments, municipal 
authorities, higher education institutions, c hambers of commerce , trade and occupational 
associations, and others ). The strategy is a means of bringing business development services 
closer to business people, entrepreneurs and the community in general through study days known 
as Colombia P rospers.  
2.30.   Additionally, the Productive Transformation Programme (PTP) , created by the Ministry of 
Trade, Industry and Tourism in 2009, was consolidated during the review period as the 
government agency specializing in the implement ation of  measures to foster productive 
development in the agro -industrial, manufacturing and services sectors, while promoting  the 
importance of quality in prod uction processes in gaining access to new markets . In conjunction 
with I NVIMA , the National Institute of Metrology , the Colombian Technical Standards Institute 
(ICONTEC)  and the National Accreditation Organization of Colombia (ONAC) have enhanced 
certifica tion services and laboratories  in line with business needs.  
2.31.   Together with the public and private sectors  and academic circles , since its establishment 
the PTP has had an impact on 932  companies in 24 departments . In 2017 three long-term 
roadmaps (business plans) ending in 2032 were drawn up for the software and IT, electricity and 
cocoa industries in order to promote their productivity and competitiveness, thereby adding these 
industries  to the sectors covered by  the programme.12 
                                                
12 The PTP supports sectors by producing a detailed an alysis of their production processes, identifying 
their needs and designing improvement plans for aspects such as human capital, sales, production, marketing 
and logistics. The sectors are: cocoa and its by -products; coffee and its by -products; cosmetics a nd hygiene 
products; pharmaceuticals, construction solutions; services (software, IT, BPO, KPO, ITO); clothing and WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  2.32.   The PTP l ed the process of structuring and delivering the El Agro Exports Alliance between 
the Ministry of Trade , Industry and Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural 
Development . The programme will allow around 11,000  small and medium producers in the 
eight agro-industrial sectors (cocoa, beef, avocado, pineapple, palm, dairy products, mango and  
fisheries) with the greatest export potential in 18  departments to build their knowledge and 
receive the assistance they need in order to ensure that their crops rise in quality, comply with 
international requirements, increase their added value, become embedded in value chains , and 
improve the producers' national and international marketing schemes in order to raise 
their income.  
2.33.   Additionally, in 2017 "Productive Colombia"  was established as a programme offering 
comprehensive assistance to SMEs (around 400  businesses)  with a view to conducting 
assessments by specialist staff to increase productivity, optimize energy consumption, reduce 
production times and costs, implement quality standards, and improve sales strategies and people  
management skills . The project has the support of the World Bank and the Andean Development 
Corporation and i s being held up as an example to other countries in the region.  
2.34.   Tourism is one of the chief peace dividends and has become one of the most prominent 
drivers of  international trade because it is an important source of revenue for a developing country 
like C olombia . Thanks to the "Tourism Sector  Plan to Build  Peace 2014 -2018"13 the problems faced 
by the sector are being addressed (inadequate hotel infrastructure, connectivity and 
competitiveness) and indicators have improved.  
2.35.   In 2016 real revenue of hotels ros e by 4.5 % compared to the pr evious  year and the hotel 
occupancy rate was 56.2 %. In respect of 2017, the BRC reports that at year -end the travel and 
passenger transport account showed earnings of US$5,787.7  million, the highest in the country 's 
history and a 5.4% rise on the prior year . Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in 2017 rose by 
68% compared to the figure for 2010 (US$3,440  million) and accounted for 78 % of all exports 
of services.  
2.36.   Investment in roads, ports and airports has made the country more  accessible as a 
destination and, together with renewed international confidence in Colombia, led in 2017 to a 
record 6.5  million foreign visitors coming to the country (a rise of 27.5 % on the figure for 2016) . 
Colombia now has more than 80  international air routes, including direct routes to 29  countries 
and 44  cities. There are over 151,000  seats available each week on international flights.  
2.37.   The Colombian Government has promoted other measures to strengthen  the sector and 
encourage responsible tourism, in cluding training staff in issues such as preventing the sexual  and 
commercial exploitation of children and adolescents , formalization of tourism in the form of the 
National Tourism Register , and certification in sectoral technical standards . Also worthy of  note are 
the tax incentives to invest in the sector such as the 9 % income -tax rate and follow -up incentives 
over a period of 20  years for the construction and refurbishment of hotels in settlements with 
fewer than 200,000  inhabitants.  
3  TRADE POLICY AGAINST  A BACKGROUND OF PEACE  
3.1  Overview  
3.1.  The areas affected by the conflict are already beginning to reap peace dividends . The 
economy is flourish ing and investor confidence in the country has risen . The world is now able to 
take advantage of the tourism potential offered by places that were previously off -limits because 
of the conflict ; investment is rising in the areas at peace and the projections show additional 
growth averaging 1.9 % of GDP during the ten years following the signature of the Agreement.  
3.2.  Colombia 's trade policy has a prominent role in the National Development Plan . In addition to 
the programmes and strategies implemented to boost exports both of goods, especially goods with 
value  added , and of services as described above, the Colombian Government ha s worked hard to 
facilitate trade and improve compliance with and enforcement of the rights and obligations that 
                                                                                                                                                  
textiles; fruit and fruit products; movement industries; milling and bakery products; basic chemicals, 
petrochemicals, plastics and plastics industries.  
13 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism , Management Report 2017.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  derive from international trade agreeme nts. Its activities have promoted  active participation in 
multilateral forums  as well as  foster ing syner gies with the private sector and national or 
international public agencies that play an important role in remov ing trade barriers.  
3.3.  With a view  to meeting the targets set out in the National Development Plan , as described  in 
the first part of this report, t rade policy has focused heavily on making the most of Colombia 's 
existing  trade agreements . That is to say, there has been a shift away from a focus on negotiating 
trade agreements towards a focus on deriving the greatest benefit  from the agreements already 
in force.  
3.4.  Colombia currently has 12 trade agreements in force with 49  countries , and two further 
agreements have been signed (Israel and Panama) . Negotiations are also under way on an 
Economic Partnership  Agreement with Japan , and a trade agreement between the Pacific Alliance 
countries (Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru) and four Associated State candidate countries 
(Australia, Canada, New  Zealand and Singapore) . In 2017, exports to countries under  a trade 
agreement accounted fo r 68% of all Colombia 's exports, and of particular note were the shares 
taken by the United States (29.2 %), the European Union (14.4 %) and the Andean Community 
(7.2%). There was also a rise in the number of products exported to the Americas, Europe and 
Asia between 1995 and 2017.14 
3.5.  In addition,  the Alianza Agroexportadora  (Agro-Exports Alliance ) was forged between  the 
trade  and agriculture sectors to identify agricultural exports with export potential, and diplomatic 
efforts addressing sanitary issues  were stepped up with a view to achieving genuine access for 
various products of interest . These measures mark a significant step towards opening up markets 
that will help to increase exports . At end -2017 there had been a 7.2% growth in value and a 
12.1% rise in  volume of food  and beverages compared to the prior year with strong perform ances 
in external sales of palm  oil (55.4 %), sugar (36.6 %), and fresh fruit (27.2 %), followed by flowers 
(6.6%) and bananas (4.5 %). 
3.6.  In the last two years record figures were achiev ed in the field of compliance with  sanitary 
requirements for agricultural products,  with 42 products deemed eligible for admission to  
21 international destinations . In 2016 beef was deemed eligible for export to Libya, the 
United  Arab Emirates  and Cuba, an d confirmation was received of eligibility for beef from 
three  new beef plants to enter Peru . The animal health certificate for entry of dairy products to 
Canada was also approved ; and Peru authorized the entry of pig  meat and Hass avocado . 
Additionally, 2 55,000  tonnes of flowers were exported, the highest figure for the last nine years.  
3.7.  In 2017, Colombia had better access  for various products of interest to exporters (chicken 
meat and pig meat, beef genetics, live pigs, pineapple, avocado, roses and green coffee) in various 
markets (Costa Rica and Peru) . The United States authorities approved the Work Plan required for 
Colombian exports of Hass avocado es to the US market, enabling  the first export of 34  tonnes to 
be made in November  2017. Moreover, in May 2017, the European Commission published the 
decision on the approval of plans for controls on chemical residues introduced by third countries 
under which Colombia achieved authorization to export composite products to the EU.  
3.8.  The Colombian Government 's focu s is on pursuing its work on product preparation, achieving 
high international technical standards, overcoming barriers, reducing production costs and further 
facilitating foreign trade transactions . This will make it possible to overcome the lag identifie d in 
the contribution by domestic products to local value chains and exports to other countries, 
especially in Latin America and the Caribbean , an area that presents good opportunities.  
3.9.  In order to reduce production costs, the Government took measures to c omplete the tariff 
reform initiated  at the end of 2010 with the aim of  support ing the production sector to improve 
competitiveness, administration and customs controls . To that end, the Productivity and 
Employment Promotion  Plan (PIPE  1.0 and PIPE  2.0) tem porarily cut tariffs on raw materials and 
capital goods not produced in Colombia in more than 3,000  tariff lines between 2011 and 2017 . As 
part of Colombia Bounces Back , launched in February  2017, it was decided to permanently abolish 
the duty on 3,650  tariff lines, resulting in an  average tariff  rate of 6.3%. 
                                                
14 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism. Calculations from the Office of Economic Studies – in the 
Americas the figures rose from 3,661 to 4,724; in Europe from 861 to 1,708,  and in Asia from 268 to 1,037.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  3.10.   Drawing on information from the Economic Complexity Atlas for Colombia (Datlas), t he 
national authorities responsible for economic and trade planning have identified sectors with 
significant potential to become suppliers of inputs that are currently imported . It is expected that 
the linkages identified to improve the share of exports in GDP will materialize in the short term 
and will incr ease the share of NME exports  in the countr y's export basket.  
3.11.   Where foreign trade procedures are concerned, Colombia has made particularly significant 
progress in strengthening its chief trade facilitation instrument, the Single Window for Foreign 
Trade (VUCE), the tool that enables electronic proc essing of  the authorizations, permits, 
certifications or prior approvals required by the relevant National Government entities for import 
and export transactions . The VUCE processes foreign trade procedures for more than 62,000 users 
with links to 21 State  entities . The window has been acknowledged as a model for the region 
because it can be used to exchange information, eliminate duplication of effort, implement efficient 
controls and promote transparent administrative action . Since 2005 , 4.5 million trans actions have 
been conducted through the VUCE.  
3.12.   The issuing of the new Customs Statute in 2016 under Decree No.  390, as amended in 
February  2018 (Decree No.  349), sets out important changes in trade facilitation and 
revolutionizes the way in which customs op erations are conducted in the country ; it is a step in the 
right direction for overcoming bottlenecks in import and export processes . A few of its more 
noteworthy features include shorter timeframes, smaller  use of physical documents, 
enhancements to the c ustoms authorities ' computer system expected to be ready by June 2018, 
the introduction of advance rulings on origin, value and tariff classification, the extension of 
benefits for authorized economic operators (AEO) and trusted users, the simplification of the rules 
on penalties and the optional use of a customs broker  to carry out customs operations.  
3.13.   To supplement this progress, the Ministry of Trade , Industry and Tourism is working with 
the DIAN on a Cut Red Tape campaign . In a speech delivered on 2  March concerning 48 targeted  
procedures (4  abolished, 38  simplified and 6  automated) , the Minister of Trade, Industry and 
Tourism described the announcement as "good news for all business people , especially importers 
and exporters " and noted that "there has been a n across -the-board cut in the amount of 
paperwork that needs to be handed in, resulting in time and cost savings that mean businesses 
can concentrate on doing business ". The Director of the DIAN noted that when added to the en tire 
process of systematization advocated by his directorate, the amendments to the Customs Statute 
would cut importation from a six- or seven -day process to a 48 -hour one.  
3.14.   The Ministry of Trade , Industry and Tourism15 has also targeted  action to facilitate  
procedures by enhancing and extending the VUCE, namely : (i) import registration approval times 
reduced from 30 to three  working days ; (ii) implementation of the simultaneous inspection  system  
(SIIS) cutting inspection times  for exported merchandise from t hree days to one ; and, 
(iii) implementation of the risk management system (SAR) , which can perform controls 
in three  minutes.  
3.15.   In the services sector , a salient development is  the "Colombia Exports Services " strategy 
launched by the Government in 2015 with a focus on identifying, publicizing and promoting the 
use of trade -support and promot ion instruments provided by  trade sector entities to business 
people  in the services sector with a view to driving growth in exports of services and attaining the 
US$9  billion target set out in the National Development Plan  by 2018 . 
3.16.   Services have frequently been treated similarly to goods, sometimes failing to take account  
of how regulation and public policy applies to them given their diversity and specificity . This 
implie s either that awareness of the business development tools available has often been lacking 
because they were obscured by those available for goods, or that the tools themselves fell short 
because they did not adequately cover the particular needs of the services sector.  
3.17.   Given the importance of the services sector to the economy – in the second half of 2017 it 
accounted for 66 % of GDP, employed 65% of the country 's working population and contributed 
4.0% of GDP16 by way of imports and exports  – the decision  was taken to bolster the strategy by 
                                                
15 Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism  (www.mincit.gov.co ). 
16 DANE. Employment data: Major Integrated Household Survey – DANE, Gross Domestic Product by 
branch of economic activit y – DANE, Balance of Payments – BRC. WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  streamlining its lines of action and enhancing its areas for action, focusing on three aspects : 
(i) strengthening business, (ii) promoting trade, and (iii) improving the business climate.  
3.18.   The strategy aims to inform entrepreneurs  in the services sector  of the trade -related 
opportunities that institutions have on offer  to improve the quality of their business skills and 
services and thus enable  them to compete on the international market . The entities involved in the 
strategy cover a broad spectrum of work areas and are led by the Ministry of Trade , Industry and 
Tourism, in conjunction with the PTP, Bancoldex, iNNpulsa Colombia and ProColombia . Specific 
functions have been assigned to these entities, which are then made a vailable to business people . 
They include : financing instruments, training programmes and projects to overcome human capital 
shortfalls in priority sectors.  
3.2  Multilateral, regional and bilateral developments  
3.19.   One of the National Development Plan  targets  was that by 2018 Colombia should 
consolidate and strengthen its multilateral and bilateral foreign policy agendas by concentrating on  
the sustainable development  framework . The Plan also establish ed that the Latin American and 
Caribbean countries would continue to receive priority treatment and that Colombia's strategic 
vision  on international policy  matters would continue to be put forward  in regional and 
global  forums.  
3.20.   Accordingly , trade policy has sought to increase the internationalization of 
Colombi an-produced goods and services by taking advantage of the tariff preferences and 
disciplines governed by the trade agreements in force, including  technical matters, sanitary 
matters, customs, sustainable development, competition, and trade defence . Stable conditions for 
foreign investment have remained in place and the channels for international cooperation and 
exchange of best practice in investment promotion and protection have been enhanced.  
3.21.   Additionally, Colombia has strengthened its trade relations wit h Latin America and the 
Caribbean and Asia -Pacific region and continued to participate actively in multilateral matters, as 
described below.  
3.2.1   Multilateral environment : compliance with and strengthening of WTO rules , and 
accession to the OECD  
3.22.   Colombia is a d eveloping country that is committed to multilateralism and the objectives of 
trade liberalization ; it believes in the role that trade can play as a driver of economic growth . 
In response to the international trade situation of the last four years, especial ly the 
developm ents and outcomes of work preceding the latest  Ministerial Conference in Buenos  Aires, 
Colombia has come to  the view that multilateralism should be supplemented by bilateral and 
regional free-trade strategies.  
3.23.   Colombia recognizes that the WT O has played a decisive role in addressing the challenges 
thrown up by globalization . Colombia 's trade policy has been guided by the principles of the GATT 
and is based on compliance with the commitments under  the WTO Agreements.  
3.24.   Accordingly, as it stated  at the Eleventh Ministerial Conference,  Colombia needs a strong 
multilateral system that can help consolidate its economic progress, its trade agreements, and the 
opportunities it now has thanks to the peace agreement that was signed over one year ago , 
bringing  a lengthy period of more than 50 years of conflict to an end.  
3.25.   Despite the vicissitudes experienced by the Organization, Colombia has always supported its 
endeavours and most important projects, especially at the last three Ministerial Conferences . It 
has maintained a constructive position as a developing country and has advocated improvements 
to conditions  of access  and the abolition of programmes and subsidies that adversely affect 
agricultural production and fisheries.  
3.26.   Colombia was among the countries th at supported the negotiations on  the Agreement on 
Trade Facilitation, already approved by the Congress of the Republic17, and is waiting for the 
                                                
17 Law No.  1879 of 9  January  2018.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  Constitutional Court to give its approval prior to giving notice of ratification to the WTO . 
Meanwhi le, progress has been made in significant reforms to customs and foreign trade processes 
and procedures, such as the issuance of the new Customs Statute (Decree No.  390 of 2016 and 
Decree No.  349 of February  2018).  
3.27.   The new customs legislation is based on m ultilateral provisions and promotes trade 
facilitation without undermining customs controls ; in addition to simplifying trade procedures, it 
makes them more flexible, reduces the administrative burden, cuts customs clearance times and 
generally makes forei gn trade less complex and costly, as noted  above  in paragraphs 3.12 
and 3.13. 
3.28.   Moreover, as part of the strategy to improve the competitiveness and productivity of 
businesses that produce goods and services, and to expand global value chains, between 2013 a nd 
2015 Colombia participated  in the expansion of the Agreement on Trade in Information 
Technology  Products.  
3.29.   As noted in Buenos  Aires, the recovery of  rural areas  in Colombia is one of our post -conflict 
commitments , and accordingly we urge other Members to  continue working within the WTO 
framework to complete outstanding tasks such as agricultural reform , a ban on illegal, unr egulated 
and unreported fishing,  and a comprehensive agreement on fisheries subsidies  – including 
subsidies that contribute to overfi shing and overcapacity , by 2020.  
3.30.   Colombia has always used the WTO dispute settlement and trade defence mechanisms 
rationally in order to assert the rights and interests of its nationals and has taken a serious 
attitude towards  those proceedings in which it  has been a respondent, which  have related 
essentially to the use of certain measures to protect industry from unconventional practices that 
adversely affect international trade.  
3.31.   Colombia firmly believes that the WTO dispute settlement process is an asset to the 
multilateral trading system and must be safeguarded . Accordingly, it supports maintaining the 
system  and advocates a swift resolution to the deadlock that has prevented progress in the 
Appellate Body membership selection process . 
3.32.   Colombia is convinc ed that trade contributes to the economic development  of nations , but 
for some time it  has been tackling the harmful  consequences of illicit trading such as smuggling, 
money  laundering and trade in counterfeit goods.  
3.33.   Colombia is determined to put illicit trade on the WTO Members' radar, to heighten  
awareness of the magnitude of this growing problem which affects all our economies, and to 
stimulate discussion on the strategies needed to combat this scourge collectively.  
3.34.   The Colombian Government is convinced that the trade liberalization process has brought 
benefits ; however, it urges WTO Members to recognize that at the same time, illegal structures 
have taken advantage of developments in international trade regulation t o use trade in legal goods 
and services for criminal purposes.  
Accession to the OECD  
3.35.   Since 2013 one of the Government 's major goals has been for Colombia to accede to the 
Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development (OECD) . The central objective is to 
weigh the country 's standards against best international practice and adjust them accordingly to 
achieve greater integration in a globalized world.  
3.36.   Specifically, the accession process has enhanced the implementation of good practice to 
improve Colomb ians' quality of life, strengthened the rationale for  maintaining open and 
transparent trade policies, consolidated interest in drawing up a responsible and sustainable 
investment policy , and generally benefitted from the discussion of  practices that are c onducive to 
sustained economic growth.  
3.37.   The Colombian Government believes that accession to the OECD will favour the 
sustainability of important structural public policy reforms . Moreover, the adoption of public WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  policies that are compatible with OECD object ives will put Colombia at an advantage on the 
international economic scene, fuel investor confidence and consolidate inflows of foreign 
investment.  
3.38.   Colombia 's public policies have been assessed and approved by 20 of the 23 Committees 
required in the access ion process .18 During the years that have elapsed since that process was set 
in train, Colombia has approved and implemented various policy reforms that are proving effective 
at improving the quality and the impact of policy formulation, including : reform t o the supervision 
and regulation of financial conglomerates ; the CONPES in corporate governance of State-owned 
enterprises ; the policy freight transport modernization policy ; reform of the tax regime for alcohol ; 
the CONPES for policy on regulatory improvement ; decrees on the grant  of greater autonomy to 
regulators and on the conduct of  public consultations on regulations, and the new Code of 
Corporate Governance for issuers of securities, among others.  
3.2.2   Regional and bilateral spheres  
3.39.   Colombia is of t he view that participation in regional and bilateral frameworks for  integration 
and free trade agreements supplements the multilateral system and neither replaces nor threatens 
it. During the period covered by this fifth trade policy review, Colombia conti nued to work in both 
spheres . A summary of the main progress and achievements is given below.  
3.40.   At the regional level, the natural integration framework for Colombia is the Andean 
Community (CAN) . Colombia held the Presidency Pro Tempore of the CAN between M ay 2016 and 
May 2017. The progress made has resulted in the approval of  eight Decisions and 65  Resolutions 
enabling  more profound subregional integration.  
3.41.   Progress was also made in such areas as the subregional interconnection of e lectric al 
systems and i ntracommunity electricity  trade ; special customs treatment of measuring 
instruments or s tandards ; the 6th Andean Business Meeting  was held in the city of Armenia, 
generating business expectations worth US$32.5  million ; the Multilateral Action Plan for Mutu al 
Recognition of the Andean Authorized Economic Operator  was approved ; the NANDINA 
nomenclature and the additional notes thereto were updated ; the short supply mechanism for the 
textile trade was developed.  Advances took place  in technical and health fields such as the 
prohibition on the use of long -chain parabens as materials in cosmetic products and the restriction 
and prohibition on the use of materials used in cosmetic soaps ; the authorized routes and 
time-limits for commun ity customs t ransit were updated ; a satellite was put into orbit over the 
Andean Community , and common rules on telecommunication interconnections were updated.  
3.42.   On other fronts, measures were implemented and progressed in extensive areas of trade 
(technica l, health -related, customs and trade facilitation) and investment , in order  to take 
advantage of the free trade agreements with the United States, the European Union, Canada, the 
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and the Republic of Korea.  
3.43.   Additionally, negotiations for a free trade agreement with Israel were launch ed and 
concluded as part of the Government 's strategy to open new markets . It is Colombia 's first 
agreement with the Middle East, an area that is import -focused and has high purcha sing power . 
The agreement has already been approved by the Congress of the Republic and as soon as it 
receives the approval of the Constitutional Court it will be brought into force.  
3.44.   Where the countries of Latin America are concerned, a major development w as the 
signature in July  2017 of Economic Complementarity Agreement No.  72 (ACE  No. 72), which will 
govern Colombia 's trade preferences with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, replacing 
ACE No. 59. As a result, Colombian entrepreneurs in the textiles  and made -up articles sectors will 
be able to take advantage of tariff access to Brazil and Argentina for 667  products at a 0 % tariff.  
3.45.   In November  2017, in the  LAIA framework  Colombia and Cuba signed the Third Additional 
Protocol to Economic Complementarit y Agreement No.  40 (ACE  No. 49). Colombia thereby secured 
                                                
18 Still required are clearance from the Trade Committee, the Employment, Labour and Social Affairs 
Committee and the final agreement of the Economic and Development Review Committee.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  preferences for over 4,000  products and deepened disciplines in rules of origin, cooperation, trade 
facilitation, trade defence, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and others.  
3.46.   The Trade Agreement with Costa Rica  which entered  into force in August  2016 has yielded 
good results for trade, and  consequently in  February  2017 the parties set about  developing it. A 
first stage of work ended in November  2017, when products of mutual interest were incorporated 
and fast -tracked into the tariff elimination programme (tyres, certain ceramic products and 
made -up articles).  
3.47.   Special reference should be made to the Pacific Alliance, an area of deep integration that 
was established to drive economic growth and development, increase the competitiveness  of the 
participating economies  and improve quality  of life . On 1 May 2016 the Trade Protocol of this 
important regional initiative entered into force, abolishing tariffs for 92 % of the products traded 
between C hile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.  
3.48.   This is one of the more innovative integration strategies that Colombia is involved with, 
consisting of an open, flexible process with clear, pragmatic targets that are consistent with the 
national development model and foreign policy . Colombia views the Pacific Alliance as a key part of 
its internationalization strategy, especially in the Asia -Pacific region.  
3.49.   The Pacific Alliance totals  just over 225  million inhabitants (World Bank, 2018), attracts 
around 48  million tourist s each year (ProColombia, 2018), and accounted for 41 % of all FDI in 
Latin America in 2016 (ProColombia, 2018) . The Pacific Alliance is the eighth -largest economy in 
the world and  accounts for 38 % of GDP in Latin America and the Caribbean ; in 2016 GDP 
per capita stood at approximately US$17 ,266 (World Bank, 2018).  
3.50.   Colombia has held the Presidency Pro Tempore of the Pacific Alliance since end -June 2017 
and will do so until end -July 2018, when it will pass to Mexico . Each year the Presidents of the 
Alliance m eet to set out in declarations the areas and objectives that should be their countries ' 
priorities . Thus, in accordance with the Declaration of the Presidents at the last Summit, held in 
Cali (Colombia) on 30  June 2017, the  priority areas of work are t he digital agenda, regulatory 
cooperation, trade facilitation and customs cooperation, innovation, SMEs and tourism.  
3.51.   At the last Summit , the Presidents of the Pacific Alliance also announced the start of 
negotiations with Australia, Canada, New  Zealand and Si ngapore aimed at including them in the  
integration mechanism as associate States , through agreements setting  high trade standards . 
Three rounds of negotiations have been held so far . This work is the start of a deeper relationship 
between the Pacific Allia nce and  the Asia -Pacific region, viewed by  the founder countries  as one of 
the major landmarks on the way  to developing a closer strategic relationship with the  region with 
the greatest economic dynamism and the highest future growth projection.  
3.2.3   New issues  in the globalized world  
3.52.   Colombia is well aware of  the difficulties  currently affecting  the international scene , not only 
at political level but also in terms of  the aim of this exercise in transparency, namely to review 
developments in sectoral, trade -related economic policies and practices between 2012 and 2017.  
3.53.   The realization that the multilateral system and the stability of its institutions are facing 
challenges in the form of protectionism and anti -trade rhetoric in various regions of the world  has 
led Colombia to take a pragmatic position and to act as a facilitator on the "new issues ". 
3.54.   Accordingly it has played a constructive part in technical discussions on matters involving 
electronic commerce, MSMEs and investment facilitation . As a member of the Group of Friends of 
MSMEs, which account for 96 % of businesses in Colombia, we supported the Ministerial Decision 
that seeks to open up a forum for discussion and formal analysis within the WTO, convinced that it 
will help to improve their participation in  international trade . Additio nally, in view of the integral 
relationship  between trade and investment, we also supported the structured formalization of 
discussion on how investment facilitation and cooperation between Members in this regard can 
serve as a  lever for development.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  3.55.   In particular we recognize the role that trade can play in electronic commerce and 
promoting women's empowerment . Regarding electronic commerce, our support for the technical 
work within the WTO is based on our firm belief that the WTO is the ideal place for establishing 
multilateral rules that will ensure a secure business environment and open up new opportunities 
for goods and services exports, in particular for MSMEs . The Secretariat Report provides a full 
overview of the country 's progress, which has led to the consolidation of a digital connectivity 
strategy that has had a positive impact on foreign trade and has benefitted MSMEs.  
3.56.   Colombia supported the Buenos Aires Declaration on  Trade and Women's Economic 
Empowerment signed by 121 Members, and will continue to endorse proposals that will help 
women achieve their full potential in the world economy.  
3.57.   In that regard we would like to share the experience of the flower sector, which c ontributes 
significantly to Colombia 's exports . The sector recognizes the importance of women as the lynchpin 
of society and the family , because 64 % of its labour force are women, many of them mothers who 
are heads of families, who have found the sector to  be a fair employment option that dovetails 
neatly with their home life and gives them time to support and bring up their children.  
3.58.   The trade association for flower producers/exporters – ASOCOLFLORES – runs multi -purpose 
programmes intended to improve the quality of life for families involved in  flower growing, and 
women are the population group that the se programmes affect most . As a result, 25 % of female 
workers have been able to find a way out of extreme poverty and have benefited from education 
and hous ing projects that are significantly improving their current socio -economic circumstances.  
4  CONCLUSIONS  
4.1.  Colombia will continue to work for stable and lasting peace in the conviction that its citizens 
come first . The Colombian Government is ready to take adva ntage of the opportunities that are 
opening up in the post -conflict era to drive productive investment, attract capital and knowledge 
from other countries so as to become more competitive , improve the quantity and quality of 
employment and create more busi ness opportunities in an environment where there are clear, 
stable rules.  
4.2.  Colombia hopes that the work under way on various fronts will be recognized by the rest of 
the world . In particular, we trust that the economies that are the destinations for the goo ds that 
we are once again sowing in the fields and making in industries where production  lines are set to 
restart  as we embark on the post -conflict era, understand the difficulties we face in complying with 
high regulatory standards, and that they will pro vide us with support and technical assistance in 
order to meet them.  
4.3.  This will also allow us to benefit from the recovery in demand in developed countries, the 
projected 4.5 % growth in the emerging markets, the improvement in the developing economies in 
Latin America, the upswing in commodity prices and the WTO estimate of 3.2 % growth in 
world  trade.  
4.4.  It is hoped that the National Productive Development policy in place since 2016 and the other 
related strategies such as El Agro Exports Alliance, Productive  Colombia, Colombia Exports 
Services and the Tourism Sector Plan to Build  Peace 2014 -2018 will expand  the supply of 
exportable goods and services in order to  make full use of trade agreements and develop 
participation in global value chains.  
4.5.  The challenge therefore is to continue to work steadily on strengthening institutions and 
improving economic and trade policies in compliance with WTO disciplines and commitments.  WT/TPR/G/372 • Colombia  
 
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  4.6.  Colombia reiterates its determination to implement the Nairobi Ministerial commitments 
because they bear upon  the system 's credibility . It reaffirms  its willingness to work, as always, 
sincerely and pragmatically on the negotiating topics , including  the new topics , in the belief that it 
is imperative to protect and strengthen the multilateral s ystem because of the benefits it brings us 
all and the role that it plays on the international stage . In particular we would like to express our 
thanks already for your support for our stated objective to promote an agenda that recognizes 
illicit trade in the context of the WTO so that we can appropriately address this scourge  that is 
doing so much damage to our economies.  
__________