“It has been an incredible honor to witness so many important milestones that mark the recent history of this alliance and to play a part in the strengthening of the cooperation between Colombia and the United States,” said Ambassador Pinzón. “May this celebration of the last two centuries of our special relationship informs and inspires the next two hundred years, so this bilateral partnership continues to be fruitful and mutually beneficial for Colombians and Americans alike.”

Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia, Colombia’s national investment promotion agency. acknowledged the increasing importance of the American market for Colombia.

“The United States is Colombia’s most important partner: it’s the leading destination for Colombian non-mining exports such as flowers, fruit, coffee, software and IT services, beachwear, among others. It is also our main investor with investments that last year worth over $1.7 billion USD. Plus, the United States is our major issuer of travelers to Colombia, and we have unparalleled air connectivity between our two nations with over 53,000 seats available per week bringing Colombian and Americans together,” she said.

“This year is exceptional. Besides commemorating 200 years of bilateral relations, we celebrate 10 years of the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, and the 30^th Anniversary of ProColombia. We are ready to keep building trust and position Colombia as an ideal destination for business and leisure in the in the next 200 years to come,” added Santoro.

The Summit has become relevant for the venture capital ecosystem in the country, since it generates trending content, demo days and roundtables, among general partners and investment vehicles and startups.

This year’s speakers include CFO of Colfondos Andrés Herrera Jimenez, Director of the Financial Regulatory Unit of Colombia Felipe Lega Gutiérrez, and President of ProColombia Flavia Santoro.

The ministry reports that various Belgian firms are active in Colombia, including Jan de Nul, Puratos, AB InBev, Bakaert, Acalis, Etex, Delta Light, Café Velvet, Procecal, Incofin,and others.

“These announcements of foreign investment are very positive news to strengthen employment and competitiveness of the country. Belgium is a great ally of ours in Europe in international trade, tourism and investment, so we want to further strengthen our relations, at a time when we are advancing in the secure economic reactivation. By consolidating our economic relations with these European nations, we have achieved that more and more foreign entrepreneurs and investors see Colombia as the best investment and business destination,” said Minister of Commerce Maria Ximena Lombana Villalba.

Over the past decade, the ministry reports Belgian investment in Colombia totaling $349.5 million USD. The president of Colombia’s investment promotion agency called ProColombia, Flavia Santoro added: “We continue to promote Colombia’s investment potential as a business destination in the region for Belgian companies in key sectors for economic reactivation. We seek to attract impact investments and the high technological component that generate employment and exports with the use of incentives such as mega-investments and those of our renewed regime of free zones.”

The summit will also showcase the measures taken to achieve a prompt economic recovery after the pandemic, and the role of foreign investment in propelling it. President Ivan Duque will be among the keynote speakers.

The hybrid event will showcase the country’s strategic advantages and opportunities for foreign companies looking to invest in Colombia.

“Since August 2018 and up to August of 2021, ProColombia has supported the arrival of 598 investment projects for US $25,4 billion, which have resulted in over 265,000 new jobs. This event is a great opportunity to continue positioning Colombia as the ideal investment destination in the region, increase these numbers and contribute to the recovery of our economy,” said Flavia Santoro (above), president of ProColombia.

Colombia currently has 17 free trade agreements with 65 countries including the United States, Canada, the European Union, with the potential to reach 1.5 billion consumers.

During this year’s summit, the country will present 140 investment projects with a combined value of $7.5 billion USD, across key sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology as well as other opportunities in a sustainable ecosystem.

ProColombia claims that in previous editions, the CIS has impacted more than 400 investors and generated over 1,000 appointments. The platform has attracted participants such as former President Bill Clinton, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili and former President of the Inter-American Development Bank, Luis Alberto Moreno.

The Copa Airlines flight will initially operate with 3 weekly frequencies on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, departing at 11:36 a.m. from Panama (local time) and arriving at El Edén International Airport at 12:58 p.m. (local time). The return flight will depart the same days from Armenia at 3:58 p.m., arriving in Panama at 5:18 p.m. (local time). The route will be operated by a Boeing 737-700 with capacity for 12 passengers in business class and 112 passengers in the main cabin.

Along with Pereira and Manizales, Armenia is part of the Colombian “Eje Cafetero” coffee producing region.

“We are pleased to announce our first new route since the pandemic began in March 2020. It is part of our vision as a leading airline to increase the connectivity of cities on the continent, thus contributing to the economic and cultural development of the region. We are sure that Armenia will be part of it,” said Pedro Heilbron, executive president of Copa Airlines.

In the heart of Colombia’s coffee growing region, Armenia was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011. It is located roughly equidistant between Bogotá, Medellín and Cali, with a population of approximately 300,000 inhabitants. Along with Pereira and Manizales, Armenia is part of the Colombian “Eje Cafetero” (coffee axis), and its many coffee farms have become international tourist attractions. There are even coffee-themed and agriculture themed amusement parks nearby.

“International air connectivity in our country continues to show important signs of recovery in the midst of this situation, opening new routes to different cities in the country such as Armenia, a city that will soon increase its air capacity abroad with a new connection to Panama City. Very soon more travelers will be able to learn about the unique experiences that our country offers, a sustainable, reliable and high-quality destination,” said Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia, Colombia’s investment promotion agency.

Roberto Jairo Jaramillo Cárdenas, Governor of Quindío added: “We are very happy in the heart of Colombia to be able to have Copa Airlines, a new airline linked to the region that will fly from the El Edén International Airport. with 3 weekly frequencies. This allows us to increase the competitiveness index that we have in Quindío and thus we will be able to bring and take tourists in two ways. We invite visitors to come to know our coffee culture landscape through this airline that is about to fly from Quindío with the attractions and benefits that we have to offer from this chosen destination. To Copa Airlines, thank you for connecting with the Heart of Colombia.”

Above photo: Parque Del Café is an amusement park minutes outside of Armenia that entertains visitors while educating them on coffee culture. Photo © Loren Moss

Biodiversity treasures

When it comes to listing the nature wonders of Colombia, one doesn’t even know where to start. Colombia is the most biodiverse country per square kilometer; it is number one in bird diversity with more than 1,900 different species and it is also the country with the largest number of butterflies in the world —registering more than 3,600—, which means that 20% of the species of butterflies in the planet live in Colombia.

All these facts, among others, make the country a perfect destination for birdwatching, whale watching, trekking, hiking and cycling while enjoying the mountains, the jungle, the desert and the Caribbean beaches, all in one! Plus, did you know that precisely because of its natural biodiversity, in Colombia you can eat a different type of fruit or seed by day, without repeating, for more than a year? Get your forks ready, foodies.

Sustainability is at the core of Colombia’s tourism promotion

Cyclists at El Peñón de Guatapé, about 2 hours outside Medellín (courtesy ProColombia)

Over the last few years, Colombia has recognized that its natural and cultural wealth can be enjoyed by travelers while also being protected and preserved through sustainability guidelines. “Our country stands out for its competitive advantages in terms of sustainable tourism, and we have 27 Ministry-certified sustainable tourism destinations,” said Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia, the agency in charge of promoting tourism in the country. “Colombia is also one of the few countries in the world with a Sustainable Tourism Policy, that seeks to help develop a more responsible and resilient tourism industry that preserves our culture and the environment.”

Well-prepared tourist guides and tourists as well!

To inspire both local guides as well as international travelers and educate them on the country’s efforts towards building a trustable and strong industry, Colombia released earlier this year a nature guide that features easy-to-understand information of its responsible and sustainable practices. The Illustrative Handbook for Nature Tourism Guides includes information about the country’s natural wealth, as well as 50 podcasts and factsheets available in Spanish and English. It’s free of charge and available here. This project was supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), “Riqueza Natural” Program, the Humboldt Institute, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Punto Aparte Editors.

Top cycling destination

What a better way to get to know a country than riding its roads? In addition to finding incredible routes where world cycling greats such as Egan Bernal and Nairo Quintana do their trainings, due to its equatorial location, traveling 500 meters in Colombia represents moving from one ecosystem to another. In fact, and taking advantage of the potential these experiences have, ProColombia is launching this new tourism strategy called Colombia, the top cycling destination, to attract ‘bike geeks’ from all over the world!

Low-cost airline Viva now allows travelers to bring bicycles, camping gear, surfing (including wind & kite), fishing tackle, golf, tennis and scuba equipment to and from Colombia. For details click here.

Great air connectivity

During 2021, international air connectivity in Colombia has made significant progress, and airlines such as Viva, Avianca, Copa, JetSmart, American Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit, among others, are betting on Colombia as a connectivity hub. An additional fact for the American travelers: currently, there are 351 weekly frequencies available between Colombia and US cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Orlando, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Washington. That means 61,944 seats available per week!

Unique types of accommodation

In a destination where nature and sustainability stand out, the whole perfect package is closed with an eco-accommodation offer. Unique places and unconventional rooms are offered to stay and enjoy a gratifying evening, such as glamping, villas, farms, and private houses. Projects like Secretos de Colombia or many other glamping hotels such as Nido del Condor and Color de Mis Rêves are great examples. These experiences are well known by its contact with nature and the facility for visitors to get close to the sky from their room comfort, nothing better to end the day than a glass ceiling to watch the stars.

For more information about Colombia, please visit Colombia.Travel.

Views expressed in this guest contribution are those of ProColombia and do not necessarily reflect the views of Finance Colombia. CONTACT: Catalina Sanchez, csanchez@procolombia.co, Phone: (305) 374 3144 Ext. 66186

Travelers arriving to Colombia must present a negative result of a PCR test for Covid-19 taken no longer than 96 hours before the stipulated time of travel and whoever has symptoms associated with Covid-19 will not be allowed to get on board.

In order to make easier the immigration process, passengers must fill the online form CheckMig www.migracioncolombia.gov.co between 1 and 24 hours prior to flight departure and should wear a face mask in airplanes and airports. Within Colombian air terminals, the minimum distance of 2 meters must be respected; on the arrival of a flight, the use of conveyor belts will be maximized; and the access to the airport terminal must be done 3 hours before the international flight.

Some measures on airplanes are: on short flights, toilets should not be used; if the flight is less than two hours, the cabin crew will not perform service on board; on medium and long flights (more than 2 hours) it is recommended to have available several face masks and replace them throughout the flight; and passengers must remain in their assigned seat at all times.

“This is a key step for the country to move towards the reactivation of the tourism industry in a safe, regulated and coordinated way. The recovery of international air connectivity was one of the strategic actions that we established in ProColombia. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have worked with airlines to coordinate their return and develop promotional plans to boost their sales. With strict protocols that guarantee the safety of travelers, we hope that nearby countries will visit our destinations with confidence and have the best experiences,” stated Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia.

The Colombian Government announced the reopening of the international air connectivity with the inauguration of the first two flights on September 19th from Cartagena with the arrival of Spirit Air coming from Fort Lauderdale, and the departure of the Colombian airline Viva Air to Miami. In addition, as of September 21st, flights will be restored from Mexico and the Dominican Republic among other countries.

The first airports open to international passenger flights are CTG: Rafael Núñez in Cartagena, CLO: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón in Cali, MDE: José María Córdova in Rionegro (which serves Medellín) and BOG: El Dorado in Bogotá.

Photo courtesy Spirit Air; graphic courtesy Viva Air

“This is one of our bets for the region in disruptive technologies, local talent and skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In times as challenging as this of COVID-19, investment in areas such as customer service and training in new skills is vital”, said Ana Paula Assis, General Manager of IBM Latin America.

Through this center, IBM will digitally manage, optimize and reinvent corporate processes and services to its clients, by using data analytics, cloud, artificial intelligence, automation, blockchain and other disruptive exponential technologies.

At the ‘Cognitive Transformation Center’, IBM will manage the end to end processes, including:

• Finance and administration: Billing, accounting, accounts payable, reports, treasury, among others
• Human Resources
• Procurement: Tactical and strategic support, as well as management of operational (transactional) procurement.
• Customer service and revenue cycle: Third party management, complaints and claims solution, reading, collection, billing, project management, collections and knowledge management.

The transformation driven by cognitive processes is one of the pillars of the growth of IBM Services, and one of the company’s main priorities in Latin America. The vendor expects improvements in customer satisfaction, agility in decision-making, reduced costs for the company, which means that the internal team can focus on more strategic activities.

“This great center, the largest IBM in the region, shows that Colombia continues to maintain its attractiveness to investors. Efficient foreign investment is one of the essential instruments in the current situation, not only because it leverages exports, but also because it creates job opportunities and helps boost the economy. We are working with ‘Compromiso por Colombia’ to promote the arrival of more investors: investment facilitation tools and business climate; relocation of companies seeking a new organization of their supply chains and efficiencies when leaving other latitudes; and sectoral and regional incentives,” said José Manuel Restrepo, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

For Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia, “the inauguration of the Cognitive Process Transformation Center in Colombia is a sign of investor confidence in the country and contributes to our consolidation as an investment destination and service export platform. We will continue to support the growth of IBM in our territory and that of this Center, which will contribute to technological development, job creation and the training and development of our talent.”

Patricio Espinosa, IBM Colombia, Venezuela and Latin Caribbean Region General Manager, said that “this is a very powerful announcement for the country and a commitment to technology. We will take process transformation to the next level. The use of new technologies will enable a more personalized, flexible and responsive service for customers.”

For more information about opportunities at IBM click here.

ProColombia announced new investments from 21 countries totalling $1.477 billion USD generating 17,000 new jobs.

“Business continues, that has been the slogan of our operation that has migrated to virtual environments to continue advising potential investors and businessmen in the world and who today have materialized that interest in Colombia. We are announcing the arrival of 45 new projects in the country managed by ProColombia in the first four months of the year, and which, according to the businessmen, they estimate to generate 17,000 new jobs, with contributions in technology, technology transfer and development in the different regions where they have been established,” said Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia.

18% of the projects went to the BPO and shared service center segments, 11% to the development of renewable energies, 8% to initiatives in the pharmaceutical sector, 6% to software and IT, 10% to metalworking, 3 % to agribusiness, 5% to investment funds, 16% to retail, and 23% to other sectors.

Of the total projects, 20% correspond to greenfield investments or companies that had no previous presence in Colombia, and 80% to new investments by multinational companies established in the country.

Between January and April 2019, ProColombia promoted the arrival of 45 foreign investment initiatives, so the result of the current year also of 45 projects, shows that, by avoiding the difficulties associated with the presence of the coronavirus, the implementation of new strategies With virtual tools such as seminars, webinars and Shark Tank-type formats, called ProColombia Pitch Sessions, they have worked successfully in order to maintain the promotion of investment attraction in the country.

According to Santoro, the projects are landing in the following Colombian departments:

• 22 Bogotá
• 6 Antioquia
• 1 Bolívar
• 1 Tolima
• 3 Valle
• 3 Atlántico
• 6 Cundinamarca
• 1 Risaralda
• 2 Magdalena

The initiatives come from 21 countries including:

• 10 United States
• 2 Germany
• 2 Argentina
• 3 China
• 4 Spain
• 4 United Kingdom
• 1 Ireland
• 1 Costa Rica
• 1 Panama
• 4 Australia
• 1 Singapore
• 1 India
• 1 Israel
• 1 Guatemala
• 1 South Korea
• 1 Canada
• 2 Venezuela
• 1 Chile
• 1 Thailand
• 1 Japan
• 1 Mexico

During the 2019 Bicentennial Matchmaking Forum hosted by ProColombia, more than 10,000 meetings were held, leading to business contacts the investment promotion agency says was worth US $400 million, 28% more than in 2018. This value includes the $34.5 million US in business deals made over the two days of the event. 937 buyers from 52 countries had the opportunity to meet Colombian producers represented by 2,097 entrepreneurs from 25 Colombian departments.

• Companies may register for the matchmaking forum by clicking here.

“The Business Matchmaking Forum is one of ProColombia’ s most high-profile promotional activities. International buyers from all over the world will have the opportunity to see a cross section of Colombia’s export offering in the agribusiness, technology, manufacturing and apparel sectors. American companies, which can take advantage of the free trade agreement with Colombia, will find a competitive offering of goods and services in our country,” said Flavia Santoro, ProColombia’s President.

The agriculture sector will be represented by actors from a wide range of areas, including aquaculture and fisheries, beef and pork, fruit and vegetables, and flowers; the textiles and apparel sector will offer leather goods, footwear, bathing suits, and undergarments, among others; and there will be  digital and IT service providers, software developers, and staff augmentation firms. The chemical, industrial & consumer goods sectors will offer cosmetics, packaging and containers, pharmaceutical products, and hospital equipment; and the manufacturing sector will offer construction materials, auto parts, furniture, wood and more.

Buyers expected to attend include large retail chains, supermarkets, department stores, state companies, and distributors, as well as recognized international marketplaces—who sell directly to the final consumer or other companies through e-commerce platforms.