Columbia and Canada
Canadian foods, films and art exhibits, and provide information on immigration, educational opportunities in Canada, bilateral trade, ethical investment, and Canadian foreign policy.
April 2003 marks 50 years of Canada-Colombia relations and a number of cultural events are being planned to celebrate the anniversary. The Embassy's current aboriginal art and Inukshuk photographic exhibits have travelled extensively throughout Colombia, and the Embassy will be launching the anniversary with a new art exhibit under the theme of multi-culturalism. A second Cine Canada film festival is being planned to follow up on the success of last year's inaugural festival. In May, the Banff Mountain Film Festival will be screened in Bogotá, Medellín and Cali. The anniversary year will close with the publication of a book on the history of Canada-Colombia relations.
COMMERCIAL
Colombia is Canada's fourth largest trading partner in South America after Brazil, Venezuela and Chile. Canadian exports to Colombia in 2002 totalled $342.2 million, a 6.5-per-cent decrease over the previous year. Imports from Colombia in 2002 were $391.5 million, a 5.7-per-cent decline over 2001. Canada supplies approximately 3 per cent of Colombia's imports. Canada has been a leading foreign investor in Colombia, primarily in the oil and telecommunications sectors, with direct investment totalling $869 million. The largest Canadian investment to date was the OCENSA pipeline project, led by Enbridge International and valued at nearly US$1 billion. As a member of the Andean Community, Colombia signed the Canada-Andean Community Trade and Investment Cooperation Arrangement in May 1999. Canada has entered into preliminary discussions concerning an FTA with the Andean Community. This is a political signal of confidence and support for Colombia which will benefit economic development and provide alternative employment opportunities away from illicit drugs.