Country Profile
From The Report: Colombia 2019
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The end of the formal conflict between FARC and the government has boosted the country’s image abroad, allowing the tourism industry to fulfil its potential in areas that were previously out of bounds. Medellín, once known as the home of drug cartels, is now a focal point for innovation in Latin America. As such, it is set to become a regional leader in creative industries, an incentive reinforced by President Iván Duque and his Orange Economy Agenda. The government aims to promote Colombia as a regional and global target market and to double its contribution to GDP from 3.5% to 7% between 2012 and 2022. Meanwhile, the long-term Fourth Generation road infrastructure project is making considerable progress in its ambition to reduce journey times between major cities and industrial centres. This chapter contains interviews with Iván Duque, President; Ángel Gurría, Secretary-General, OECD; and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Fruitful prospects: A new focus on innovation is set to bolster healthy growth levels and consolidate the recovery from years of armed conflict
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Colombia constitutes a distinctive blend of ethnicities, cultures and geography. It has the second-largest population in South America and is the continent’s fourth-largest country. With two coasts on two different oceans, it is located at a natural crossroads between the Caribbean, Central and South America. In spite of its heavy focus on natural resource exports, the country has rebounded from a commodity-induced slowdown in the middle of the decade, and now boasts a particularly positive…

Interview

The right direction: President Iván Duque, on driving the economy through specialised initiatives and the implementation of best practices
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Interview:Iván Duque How would you describe your administration’s economic priorities leading up to 2022? IVÁN DUQUE: In a context marked by a sharp slowdown in global GDP growth, the worst migratory crisis ever experienced in Latin America and following a year with GDP expansion of 2.6%, the Colombian economy is expected to grow by between 3.4% and 3.6% in 2019 – above regional projections and the world average. On the fiscal front this administration is fully committed to the “fiscal…

Overview

Political solutions: The socio-political outlook is more encouraging than it has been in many years, but there is still work to be done
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The political landscape in Colombia is rather complex, a result of the convoluted evolution that gave rise to the system as it stands today. In addition, the violent conflicts that gripped the country for decades, while partially resolved, still continue to exercise a defining influence on national politics. The country’s sub-national governments are divided into 32 departments alongside the Capital District of Bogotá. Each department has their own elected legislature and governor. Within…

Interview

Moving along with progress: Ángel Gurría, Secretary-General, OECD, on the country’s prospects for the future as a member of the OECD
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Interview:Ángel Gurría What impact will OECD accession have on Colombia? ÁNGEL GURRÍA: OECD accession will benefit Colombia’s reputation and help boost investor confidence by clearly signalling that this is a country that observes the highest global standards, a commitment to pluralist democracy, open and transparent markets and a goal of sustainable development. Joining the OECD demonstrates to investors that Colombia follows key standards in areas such as corporate governance, investment,…

Interview

Stronger together: Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, on bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the Americas
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Interview:Justin Trudeau To what extent is the Canadian government working together with the UN and Colombian authorities to ensure support for Venezuelan refugees? JUSTIN TRUDEAU: Canada and Colombia are working closely together as partners in the Lima Group, to address the most pressing needs of Venezuelans and to help neighbouring countries support them too. In February 2019 Canada announced that it would provide $53m of additional support, of which almost $40m will go directly to Colombia’s…