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Mariano Rajoy

COLOMBIA - Diplomacy

The Rise of the Middle

Prime Minister, Spain

Bio

Mariano Rajoy was born in 1955 and was educated in law at the University of Santiago de Compostela. He was Minister of Public Administration from 1996 to 1999 and Minister of Education from 1999 until 2000. He then served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2000 to 2003. He acted as Leader of the Opposition from 2004 until 2011. He was elected Prime Minister of Spain on December 21, 2011.

"Colombia is the confirmation of the emergence of middle powers."

Spain is the third largest investor in Colombia. How would you assess economic relations between the two nations?

I would like to start by affirming that Colombia is a strategic country for the Spanish government. Therefore, I greatly value our economic relations. As for the figures, since 1993 Spain has invested ‚¬5.79 billion in Colombia. That is a considerable investment. Spain is highly present in sectors such as finance, infrastructure, insurance, and telecommunications. However, with an increasingly improving environment, we believe this will continue to grow. For now, it represents 5% of total Spanish investment in Latin America, which amounts to ‚¬118 billion. Moreover, the entry into force of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Colombia and the EU will allow our commercial relations to reach their full potential. In 2011, Spain exported ‚¬561 million worth of goods to Colombia, while imports from Colombia to Spain totaled ‚¬1.23 billion. These figures can be improved.

What areas of bilateral trade have more potential for growth?

At present, railway equipment, textiles and clothing, and industrial machinery represent our top three exports to Colombia. With the coming into force of the FTA between Colombia and the EU, the products that should benefit more from the immediate lowering of tariffs are olive oil, wine, canned seafood, pharmaceuticals, garments and clothing accessories, footwear and textiles, and yarns—mainly silk, wool, and cotton. Oil and coal account for almost 80% of Colombian exports to Spain. There is thus much room for Colombia to export more value-added products, not forgetting services.

“Colombia is the confirmation of the emergence of middle powers.”

Why is Colombia an attractive destination for Spanish investment?

Colombia offers a privileged location at the center of the American continent, within six hours of the major Latin American capitals and the US, and with access to ports in the Caribbean, the Atlantic, and the Pacific. With 47.5 million inhabitants, it is the second largest Spanish-speaking population in the world and its GDP per capita has steadily grown in recent years, from $5,826 in 2000 to $9,920. In addition to a large and growing domestic market, Colombia has free trade with a great part of the continent, including the US and Canada. Colombia has also opened up widely to Asia and Europe, which has significantly expanded the potential demand that can be met from this country. We must also underline the great potential of the Pacific Alliance, of which Colombia is a Member State with Mexico, Peru, and Chile, and of which Spain is an Observer State, along with Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Panama.

As Spain reels from a crisis environment, what advantages does Colombia offer as a hedge for domestic investors?

Colombia is one of the countries in the region to offer strong facilities for doing business and for investor protection. Colombia provides legal certainty and clear and stable rules, thanks to strong institutions that are independent, credible, and predictable in their responsibility and seriousness. These are essential ingredients for long-term investment. That’s how you build trust and attract new businesses that want to diversify their markets. Thus, the interest of Spanish firms in Colombia is growing, not only large companies, but increasingly small and medium ones as well. In late 2010, there were 140 Spanish companies registered in the country. Currently, there are more than 260. The sectors with the largest presence of Spanish companies are construction, engineering, and ICT.

How will the FTA between the EU and Colombia stimulate relations between Spain and Colombia?

The trade agreement between Colombia and the EU will certainly encourage our trade relations and investment in both directions by offering zero tariffs for most products and a stable legal framework for investment. Beyond products and investment, to which I referred above, the beneficial effects for the whole economy should be underlined. By promoting exports, national income increases and can be redistributed throughout the population, improving social cohesion. Overall, the positive effects are major and fade into the economy, to the benefit of its citizens. Colombia is a renewed opportunity for Spain, but Spain also for Colombia. Colombian companies are increasingly international, are increasingly investing in Latin America, and will be able to do so in Spain under the best conditions—the same goes for Spanish companies. Spain is its natural gateway, and the closest to the world’s largest market: the EU.

What is your outlook for Colombia’s economic future, and for relations between the two nations?

Colombia is the confirmation of the emergence of middle powers. Colombia has been identified among the new emerging economies of the 21st century. In the group of CIVETS: Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, and South Africa, Colombia has adapted to globalization in an exemplary manner and is already reaping the rewards. It is showing that with strong institutions, ambition, commitment, sacrifice, and a clear course, no conflict can halt the will of freedom, peace, and progress in society. On my first trip to Latin America as President, I went to Bogotá. I said then that I believe in Colombia, in its present, and in its future, and I say it wherever I go. Colombia and Spain are examples of continuity in foreign policy. Colombia knows that Spain understands its reality and can count on its permanent support. Our strength is our desire to define and regularly renew our level of ambition, and to offer our citizens new horizons. We believe that what is good for Colombia is good for Spain, and at the same time, what is good for Spain is good for Colombia.

© The Business Year – February 2013

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