Colombia, CARICOM Countries Open Talks To Update Trade Agreements

Colombia and the CARICOM member countries (Caribbean Common Market) reported advances during an initial meeting held seeking to deepen the Partial Scope Agreement, in force since 1995.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, María Ximena Lombana Villalba

During this first meeting, CARICOM member countries and Colombia discussed mutual requests regarding commerce, current sensitivities, and agreed to alternately advance meetings of health ministries on both sides to advance in the admissibility of products of interest.

“We hope to increase access to the markets that are part of this group, both in agricultural and industrial products. This deepening is part of our strategy to take advantage of trade agreements and strategic markets,” said Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, María Ximena Lombana Villalba.

Trade between Colombia and CARICOM reached $870 million USD in 2021, of which Colombia’s exports were $616 million. In the first four months of 2022, Colombia exported $158.4 million into CARICOM, including $90.7 million of mining and energy products.