Colombian authorities present business opportunities in the country at CEOE

Representatives of Spanish companies in the country's leading sectors were present

CEOE Vice President Juan Pablo Lázaro highlights the support of Spanish companies in the development of Colombia.

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Vice President CEOE y president of CEIM, Juan Pablo Lázaro, held a meeting with the high advisor for the Post-conflict, Human Rights and Security of the Presidency of Colombia, Rafael Pardo, to analyze business opportunities, after the conflict, for the Spanish companies with interests in the area. The Advisor was accompanied by the Colombian ambassador to Spain, Alberto Furmanski and the director of the Presidential Cooperation Agency of Colombia, Sergio LondonoOn the Spanish side, there was the presence of representatives of the main Spanish companies in the country's leading sectors.

 

Juan Pablo Lazaro has highlighted the strong presence of Spanish companies in the Latin American country, with a stock of direct investment of 4.762 million euros. He recalled the great interest that businessmen have shown in the negotiation process and in the signing of the Peace Agreement, as it has contributed to consolidating democratic institutions and has allowed the full development of social and economic potential thanks to the emerging middle class, economic growth and its membership in the Pacific Alliance. Lázaro reported that, since the beginning of the negotiations, the number of Spanish companies established in Colombia has doubled to 450.

 

Country Partnership Framework (MAP)

 

The vice president of CEOE explained that Spain has been one of the greatest defenders and promoters of European Union Trust Fund for peace in Colombia, as well as the loan package of the European Investment Bank of 450 million euros, to promote development in the regions most affected by the conflict. He also highlighted the efforts made by both countries to strengthen bilateral relations with the signing in 2015 of the new Country Partnership Framework (MAP) for the period 2015-2019. “The main objectives of this agreement were to focus on consolidating the democratic process and the rule of law, promoting economic opportunities for the poorest, fostering social cohesion, particularly in relation to water and sanitation, and promoting women's rights and gender equality.

 

 

Juan Pablo Lázaro has highlighted the strong presence of Spanish companies in the Latin American country, with a direct investment stock of 4.762 billion euros

 

 

El MAP It was endowed with 50 million euros, with the possibility of granting repayable loans up to 225 million through the FONPRODE, in addition to the 80 million from the previous MAP, still in the process of execution. “This agreement is a reflection of our country's firm commitment to the future of Colombia. Finally, Lázaro highlighted CEOE's full willingness to collaborate closely with the Colombian employers' association ANDI in the country's economic and social development.

 

Development plan

 

The High Advisor for Post-Conflict, Human Rights and Security of the Presidency of Colombia, Rafael Pardo, pointed out that after the Peace Agreement the government of Juan Manuel Santos The country is making a great effort to boost economic development and transform the country. An example of this is the “ZOMAC” development plan that has been launched and will be implemented over the next fifteen years to improve the rural areas most affected by the conflict. The objectives are to provide greater legal security for land ownership, to offer adequate social security coverage to people living in rural areas and to build and improve roads in these areas to facilitate access for the population.

 

He also mentioned the initiative by the Colombian government to establish a voluntary substitution program for coca leaf crops, through economic incentives that allow farmers to grow other types of products. In addition, in 350 municipalities in Colombia, the Santos government plans to reduce taxes both for large companies (50% reduction for the first 5 years and 25% for the next 5) and for SMEs (0% tax for the first 5 years and 50% for the next 5) both national and foreign, in order to boost the private sector and the participation of companies that want to establish themselves in areas affected by the conflict, in order to generate employment, promote economic growth and reduce the gap between the countryside and the city. In this regard, the Colombian government also offers the possibility of taking advantage of "taxes for works", which allow a company to pay half the taxes in exchange for developing infrastructure projects in rural areas affected by the conflict.