. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/54 
16 December 2011  
 
(11-6623) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   Spanish 
 
  
COLOMBIA 
 
Statement by H.E. Mr Sergio Diazgranados 
Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism 
  Protectionism 
 
 Two years ago we emphasized the role of the World Trade Organization in preventing the 
impact of the crisis from being greater.  Today,  the global economy has still not recovered and this 
has induced in us a bunker mentality, in whic h there is an increasing temptation to turn to 
protectionism.   Colombia has learnt by experience that to resort to protectionist measures to overcome 
economic difficulties is the wrong path to follow.  During the first half of 2011 our international trade 
grew by 40 per cent, contributing to GDP growth of 5 per cent.  The imposition of protectionist 
measures would have reduced the possibilit y of dynamic growth in the economy. 
  For Colombia, more trade is an antidote to  the crisis.  We need open economies with 
optimistic consumers in order to maintain the grow th of world trade.  The emerging economies, such 
as ours, which have given an example of the benefits  of this path, have an important role to play. 
  Colombia is seeking open trade within a tran sparent, predictable and inclusive multilateral 
system, which is complemented by regional and bilate ral efforts.  We believe in the importance of 
bringing Latin America closer to the Asia-Pacific basin and to Africa. 
 
 On the bilateral side, in 2011 we implemente d agreements with Switzerland, Liechtenstein 
and Canada and in 2012 we hope to put into effect  the agreements with the United States and the 
European Union, while at the same time  continuing our agenda of negotiations. 
 
The importance of the multilateral trading system and the WTO 
 
 We wish to reiterate our strong belief in the importance of the multilateral trading system and 
of the WTO in overcoming the crisis.  We need to  strengthen the system in such areas as the operation 
of the regular bodies, the monitoring and review of  trade policies and practices, compliance with the 
notification commitments and the disseminati on and use of the information notified. 
 Negotiations 
  There are some voices that proclaim the failure  of the Doha Round.  Colombia is worried at 
the slowness of the negotiations, but strongly supports an early and balanced completion of the 
Round, on the basis of the advances already made, maintaining as the central plank the reform of 
agriculture.  We appeal to the la rger economies to contribute to the attainment of this objective.  WT/MIN(11)/ST/54 
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  We are ready to explore, pragmatically, areas of  negotiation in which we can advance towards 
provisional or definitive agreements.   The results of the Round must  incorporate the development dimension.  For Colombia this 
means better conditions for market access, both for agricultural goods and services.  It also means the 
elimination of distortions in agriculture and the strengthening of the rules-based system. 
 Accessions 
  We congratulate the Russian Federation, Vanuatu, Samoa and Montenegro on becoming 
new Members of the WTO.  However, important cha llenges still remain to be met in speeding up the 
accession procedures, especially for the LDCs.  Final comments 
 
 When the WTO was established, the current Pr esident of the Republic was then the Minister 
of Foreign Trade of Colombia.  Now, under his manda te, we repeat that for our country the best way 
to deal with the crisis is through more trade.  It is necessary to conclude the negotiations so as to 
achieve more open, undistorted mark ets and to strengthen the multilateral system so that markets that 
are now open continue to be so.  This is the b est contribution that can be made to meeting the 
aspirations of a developing country such as Co lombia in the field of international trade. 
 
 Finally, I should like to thank the Directo r-General, the WTO team, the Chairman, and the 
city and canton of Geneva, for their work in ensuri ng the organization of this Ministerial Conference. 
 
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