Message from Ambassadors

Investment Opportunities
in Colombia
Gabriel DuqueAmbassador of Republic of Colombia to Japan

would like to take this opportunity to introduce
myself as the new Ambassador of Colombia toJapan. From 2013 to 2016 I was the Ambassador ofColombia to the World Trade Organization following
my 5 years appointment as Vice-Minister of Commerce.
I received the offer of coming to Japan, when I wasstill at the WTO. Given Japan’s importance in theinternational arena and its great role in the multilateralsystem, I felt compelled to accept the challenge. I feelgreatly honored to have the opportunity to represent
my country, and to contribute to strengthen the relation
between Colombia and Japan.

I

investment opportunities in Colombia. First, it isimportant to mention that Colombia and Japan are
now in the final stage of negotiations of an Economic
Partnership Agreement (EPA), a robust legal
framework that will increase trade and investment
opportunities adding greater dynamism anddiversification to our current economic relation.
Moreover, this agreement will contribute to the alreadysolid, rich and friendly Japan-Colombia diplomatic
relation, established under the shared values of
democracy, peace building and the respect for the ruleof law.

One of my top of priorities as Ambassador of Colombia
to Japan is to help bridge the misconception gap
between the lingering images of a past Colombia, andthe thriving current Colombia. For this reason, I would
like to take this opportunity to highlight a few aspects
relevant for those who are exploring trade andW

ithout hesitation, I can say that the mostsignificant feature of Colombia’s economy is
its long history of economic stability characterized bya sound fiscal policy, constant economic growth andoutstanding macroeconomic management. Conditions
that place Colombia as the third country in Latin

Panoramic view of Bogotá, credits Procolombia
202016.11

What Colombia Offers

America in terms of ease for doing businessand the best in protection to foreign
investors according to the World Bank
Doing Business Assessment. Additionally,
Colombia was ranked as one of the markets
with fastest growth perspectives in Latin
America for 2016, while the average in theregion is expected to be negative according
to the World Economic Outlook Report,
issued by the International Monetary Fundin October 2016.
Colombia’s recent performance in FDI
reception is also noteworthy. During thefirst semester of 2016 there was an increase of morethan 16% in comparison to the same period last year.
This explains why, Colombia has been included in
UNCTAD’s list of the 25 countries with most FDI
reception, and is now a candidate to be member of theOECD. This FDI inflow has been directed primarily tothe manufacture, infrastructure, service and tourism
sectors.

H

ighly qualified human resources is another ofColombia’s strengths; 55% of the country’s
population is under 30 years old. Japanese companies
investing in Colombia are already benefiting from thiscompetitive advantage hiring Colombia’s dynamic,
well-educated and skilled young people. A good
example of this is the investment by Castem Co. earlier
this year. Castem Co, one of the first Japanese SMEs
to invest in Colombia, was motivated to establish
business in our county because of its highly qualified
workforce. Moreover, the country is now recognized
as a strategic logistic hub, offering great connectivity
to the North American, South American and Caribbean
markets due to Colombia’s location in the center of theAmericas and with coasts on both the Atlantic andPacific oceans.
The current government, under the leadership ofPresident Juan Santos, has taken important steps
towards the establishment of a long-lasting peace.
Recently, these efforts have been recognized by theinternational community, with the decision to award
him the Nobel Peace Prize. During the last 4 years, thegovernment has been committed to a peace negotiation
process with the FARC guerilla group. It reflects not
only the government’s willingness, but also thestrength of Colombia’s institutions that allow a cleardemocratic participation where our citizens decide
together the future of the country. After the plebiscite
celebrated on October 2nd, the government has
expressed its willingness to maintain a dialogue withall the political parties, organizations and groups, sothat together, we can continue building an all-inclusive
and uniting peace for the country.

Let this be the chance to express our gratitude to
the international community for its support during
all these years and for its constant commitment
throughout the process.

コロンビア貿易投資振興機構（PROCOLOMBIA）は、コロンビア・日本間の投資、コロンビアからの輸出およびコロンビアへの観光の促進を目的とした政府機関で、世界に 26 ヵ所ある拠点から各分野に関するさまざまな情報を発信しております。日本事務所
はコロンビア大使館通商部として、コロンビア・日本間の貿易やビジネスを活性化するため、日本企業の皆様からの個別のご照会に応じているほか、セミナーや講演会を随時開催しております。コロンビアへの投資に関するお問い合わせは、PROCOLOMBIA 日本事務所代表和合ヒロシまたは投資アドバイザー中園竜之介投資アドバイザーまで。

代表和合 ヒロシ
投資アドバイザー 中園 竜之介
TEL: 03-5575-5970

hwago@procolombia.co
rnakazono@procolombia.co
FAX: 03-5575-5972

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