ROMPE LOS MITOS Y EXPORTA A AUSTRALIA!!!

Durante mi reciente visita a Colombia me di cuenta de que los empresarios y entidades colombianas aún ven a Australia como un mercado lejano al cual es difícil acceder. Como colombiana que vive en Australia y conoce los mercados, la logística y las posibilidades, quiero contarles como se ve la situación desde las dos orillas.

AUSTRALIA ·        Está más cerca de lo  que muchos piensan: la lejanía, la logística complicada, la barrera del lenguaje y las fuertes regulaciones no son más que mitos! ·        Es un mercado de calidades y no de cantidades, es el único país occidental dentro de todo el oriente. Es la puerta natural (plataforma) para dar a conocer los productos colombianos no a millones de personas sino a billones que viven en los países asiáticos. ·        Cuenta con una clase media amplia, en crecimiento, con poder adquisitivo y educada. ·        Para los australianos es vital que las empresas sean muy serias en sus programas de responsabilidad social y la responsabilidad con el medio ambiente. Temas que influyen y determinan de una forma contundente en el momento de elegir. ·        Es un público educado que más que dejarse deslumbrar por un empaque lee las tablas nutricionales y les ensena a sus niños a decidir la compra por conocimiento y no por impulso

COLOMBIA ·        Cuenta con diseño y calidad en manufactura que puede competir perfectamente con las marcas Europeas en Australia, con un precio intermedio con los productos chinos. ·        En agroindustria tenemos unas ventajas competitivas enormes!!! Nuestros productos están posicionados como naturales, orgánicos, saludables, a diferencia de los productos alimenticios importados de los países asiáticos, que están contaminados por la industrialización y las catástrofes que han contaminado el medio ambiente. ·        Por Colombia estar en una zona volcánica, la cual provee a nuestra tierra nutriente especial de donde producimos tanto el mejor café del mundo como el mejor cacao ambos con el mejor aroma y sabor.

Durante dos meses tuve la fortuna de trabajar en diferentes ciudades de Colombia - Cali, Pereira, Armenia, Manizales, Medellín y Bogotá - y de entrevistarme con empresas y entidades del sector público y del privado.  Puedo darme cuenta de que para la mayoría,  Australia no es un país que tienen como destino a corto plazo. También, de que no se tiene toda la información sobre las ventajas competitivas de los productos colombianos en este mercado.  En términos sencillos, todos los  “obstáculos” que ven para exportar a Australia, son mitos.

Hemos identificado algunos sectores y productos que tienen muy buenas oportunidades en Australia:

A.  Manufactura: Confecciones, Marroquinería y Joyería Precolombina

B.  Dulces

C.  Café orgánico

D.  Cacao orgánico

E.  Stevia

F.   Snacks saludables ( Frutas deshidratadas, cereales mix con quínoa, chía, macca, etc )

Para brindar una asesoría personalizada y que sea un verdadero apoyo para el empresario, con unos resultados responsables y tangibles hemos encontrado una ruta para el desarrollo de este proceso.

1.   Firmamos un acuerdo de confidencialidad entre las dos empresas interesadas.

2.   Se diligencia un formato base con la información detallada de la empresa

3.   Identificamos del portafolio de la empresa los productos que pueden ser viables en el mercado australiano.

4.   Le enviamos al empresario todas las regulaciones que tiene el gobierno australiano para certificaciones, empaque, etiqueta y proceso de producto vía email.

5.   Asesorados legalmente por nosotros, e empresario envía las muestras físicas con sus correspondientes fichas técnicas en inglés a nuestra oficina en Sydney.   

6.   El empresario debe enviar la información detallada de programa de responsabilidad social y la responsabilidad de la empresa con el medio ambiente.

7.   Una vez recibida la información anterior, organizamos todo y lo enviamos al gobierno australiano para las aprobaciones  que sean necesarias, según el producto.

8.   La respuesta del gobierno será enviada al empresario, quien hace los ajustes recomendados. Nosotros los acompañamos en el proceso hasta lograr la aprobación definitiva.

9.   Cuando el producto es aprobado, trabajamos con las cámaras de comercio. Invitamos a un desayuno de trabajo a líderes o empresarios según el producto y nicho de mercado para hacerles una presentación y ver la aceptación que tiene el público australiano ante el producto.

10.               Hasta este momento el empresario no ha cancelado un solo dólar a KZA GROUP.

11.               Una vez tengamos la seguridad de que el producto está listo con todos los certificados y aprobaciones, realizamos una negociación y firmamos un contrato en el cual KZA GROUP realizará el trabajo de penetración y posicionamiento del producto en el mercado australiano.

Para que el trabajo sea en conjunto, coordinado y articulado, estamos fortaleciendo nuestra capacidad relacional en Colombia con entidades tanto públicas como privadas, lo cual apoyará de una forma efectiva este trabajo. Entre ellas están: Austrade, Camara colombo australiana, Procolombia, Bancoldex, Analdex, Adicomex, Inexmoda, Fedecacao, Artesanias de Colombia, las cámaras de comercio de Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Pereira, Armenia y Manizales.

Me encantó encontrar todas estas entidades con personas comprometidas y trabajando duro para que los empresarios pequeños, medianos y grandes se organicen, conozcan las oportunidades y en un esfuerzo hombro a hombro hagan su primera exportación. Debemos recordar que nuestro mercado y nuestra competencia no la tenemos en nuestra ciudad …. Ahora el mercado es es el mundo entero.

Todos estos factores conjugados hacen que éste sea el mejor momento para consolidar las relaciones comerciales entre Australia y Colombia. Visité tantas empresas tan maravillosas que he llegado a Australia con la seguridad que los productos Colombianos tienen mucho futuro en Asia y Oceanía.

KZA Group, realiza acompañamientos comerciales a los empresarios colombianos:

-         Si la empresa se encuentra en el inicio de la actividad exportadora.

-         Si existe desconocimiento del mercado australiano.

-         Si los productos no cuentan con servicio post venta.

-         Si hay variación de precios que exige un contacto permanente con los compradores para poder concluir las operaciones.

-         Si existe riesgo de impagados.

Conquistar tierras australianas es un sueño comercial para muchas empresas de nuestro país. KZA Group, constituye un puente comercial confiable y seguro entre las dos naciones. Los productos colombianos cuentan con una gran oportunidad y el mundo entero espera por ellos. Solo es enfocarse, especializarse, organizarse y decidirse porque exportar ahora. El mundo es una aldea!!!

ATREVETE A EXPORTAR!!!

Si estas interesado en tener información adicional y específica no dudes en contactarnos. director@kzagroup.com.au

CARMENZA HOYOS LLANO

Importing food into Australia

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources​ is responsible for administering two sets of requirements with which imported food must comply. The first set of requirements address quarantine concerns. The second set of requirements address food safety and are those set out in the Imported Food Control Act 1992.

All imported food must meet biosecurity requirements to be allowed into the country. Once imported food has met these requirements foods are monitored for compliance to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Quarantine​

The Quarantine Act 1908 requires that all imports of food comply with the quarantine conditions for their import. Quarantine restrictions apply to many raw foods and certain processed foods brought through the airport or mailed to Australia for private use. The following items are restricted:

• eggs and egg products​
• dairy products
• uncanned meat
• seeds and nuts
• fresh fruit and vegetables

Commercial importers of food such as fresh fruit and vegetables or food containing milk, egg, meat or other animal products will need to obtain an import permit prior to importing the food. You can do initial checks for quarantine requirements by searching the Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system. For more information contact Imports:

Phone: 1800 900 090 FREE

Email: Imports​

Food standards

Like food that is produced domestically, food that is imported into Australia must meet Australian food standards. The monitoring of imported food is a responsibility shared across many government agencies, including those at local, state, territory and federal levels.

The food regulatory system in Australia

Policy decisions about food are made by the Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council which is chaired by the Minister for Health. This council, which includes Ministers for each state and territory government and the New Zealand government, receives policy advice from the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC). This committee is chaired by the Department of Health. Relevant officials from state and territory and New Zealand food regulatory agencies are also represented on this committee.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is the government body responsible for developing and maintaining the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Australian law requires all food to meet the food safety standards set out in the Food Standards Code. The Food Standards Code applies to all food offered for sale in Australia, whether produced domestically or imported.

FSANZ monitors food safety incidents worldwide and provides advice to the department on monitoring and testing imported food. FSANZ advises the department when food poses a medium-high risk to human health and on appropriate testing. It also provides risk assessment advice to state and territory regulators, who are responsible for monitoring all food at point of sale, including imported food.

More information about the food regulation system in Australia.​

The department's role in the monitoring of imported food

The department's role to monitor imported food is part of a broader food regulatory system as discussed above.

Food entering Australia is subject to the Imported Food Control Act 1992, which provides for the inspection and control of imported food using a risk-based border inspection program, the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS). FSANZ advises the department on those foods that pose a medium to high risk to human health and safety, with the department classifying these foods as risk foods for inspection under the IFIS.

Role of state and territory authorities

In addition to the inspection activity undertaken at the border, state and territory authorities have responsibility for monitoring all food, including imported food, that is available for sale. Each state and territory authority has its own food legislation, which is based on the national Model Food Act developed by FSANZ and endorsed by the ANZFRMC. State and territory action on food is different from, but complementary to, that which occurs under the IFIS. On matters involving imported foods that has not been inspected or that have been found later not to be compliant, FSANZ, this department and the state and territory authorities work closely to address them.

Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA)

Under the Imported Food Control Act 1992, surveillance foods from New Zealand are exempt from the IFIS as these come under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA).

The only New Zealand foods that are subject to the IFIS at the border are those classified as risk foods. Equivalence determination of food safety systems covering dairy products was reached in 2007 and seafood, uncooked pigmeat, chicken meat, coconut, pepper, paprika, peanuts and pistachios were aligned in 2011. This enabled these products to be brought under the TTMRA and removed the requirement for border inspection for these products.

Fuente: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/food

INFORMACION GENERAL EXPORTACION DE MUESTRAS SIN VALOR COMERCIAL

Que es una muestra sin valor comercial?

Se consideran muestras sin valor comercial aquellas mercaderías cuyo empleo como muestra implica su destrucción por degustación, ensayos, análisis, tales como productos alimenticios, bebidas, perfumes, productos químicos, farmacéuticos y otros productos análogos, siempre que se  presenten en condiciones y cantidad, peso, volumen u otras formas que demuestren inequívocamente su condición de muestras sin valor comercial.

Las muestras deberán ser presentadas en condiciones que demuestren que se trata de muestras sin valor comercial y que no serán utilizadas para fines comerciales.

Trámites Previos a una Exportación de Muestras Sin Valor Comercial

  Registro ante Cámara de Comercio y Obtención del Nit

Las personas naturales y jurídicas que proyecten realizar actividades empresariales deben registrarse ante la cámara de comercio de su  domicilio principal y obtener el NIT, ante la DIAN:

Acceso a Link:

1.   Confirme que el nombre no ha sido registrado   www.rue.com.co

2.     Consulte el tipo de sociedad que desea constituir. Ver clasificación Código de Comercio

3.   Consulte el paso a paso para crear Empresa.

http://camara.ccb.org.co/contenido/contenido.aspx?catID=97&co nID=3413

 Registro Único Tributario –RUT-

El registro único tributario debe obtenerse ante la DIAN, el tramite lo  puede hacer ante la administración mas cercana al domicilio del exportador o a través de la Internet acensando el siguiente Link:

https://muisca.dian.gov.co/WebRutMuisca/DefInscripcionRut.face s

Una vez el exportador cuando haga su inscripción deberá registrarse como usuario aduanero, indicando su solicitud en el código correspondiente (Numero 10) en la casilla 53 “responsabilidades” del formulario del RUT. Adicionalmente, en la casilla 54 se debe colocar el código de la actividad aduanera.  (Ejemplo: exportador 22, Importador 23, etc.…)

El Gobierno Nacional mediante el Decreto 2788 del 31 de agosto de 2004 del Ministerio de Hacienda, por el cual se reglamenta el RUT, el cual se constituye como el nuevo y único mecanismo para identificar, ubicar y clasificar a los sujetos de obligaciones administradas y controladas por DIAN. (Anexo 1)

Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior -VUCE-

A través de la VUCE se pueden tramitar las autorizaciones, permisos, certificaciones o vistos buenos previos que exigen las diferentes entidades competentes para la realización de las operaciones específicas de exportación y consulta de información relacionada con los procedimientos previos a la exportación. (Anexo 3)

Registro ante la Sección de Exportaciones de la Aduana de Salida

Únicamente cuando se realiza la primera exportación, debe obtener el registro ante la sección de exportaciones de la aduana del puerto o aeropuerto de salida, adjuntando el certificado de existencia y representación legal expedido por la cámara de comercio. Este trámite para la exportación de muestras sin valor comercial lo realizara directamente el exportador, el agente de aduanas o el intermediario de envíos urgentes ante la DIAN.

Requisitos de Origen

Criterios Generales

Para que el certificado de origen sea expedido y aceptado por los países  que otorgan preferencias, los productos deben cumplir con ciertas normas origen las cuales deben ser tramitadas por el exportador en Colombia.

Certificado de Origen

Para tener acceso a las preferencias o beneficios arancelarios el empresario colombiano o su comprador internacional deben demostrar en el momento de introducir su producto, el certificado de origen junto con los demás documentos de importación requeridos en cada país.

El certificado de Origen es un certificado expedido por el Ministerio de Comercio Industria y Turismo entidad oficial que certifica el cumplimiento de los requisitos de origen exigidos en virtud de acuerdos. El cual se debe anexar como prueba documental en el momento de introducir los productos. Al respecto, debe tenerse en cuenta que para cada acuerdo o convenio existe un certificado de origen diferente y que para cada embarque se debe tramitar un certificado de origen.

Expedición del Certificado de Origen

Una vez obtenida la determinación de origen por el Ministerio de Comercio Industria y Turismo y previa la identificación exacta del país al cual va a exportar adquiera el formulario correspondiente.

Teniendo la norma de origen, diligencie el formulario, anexe factura comercial y preséntelo ante el Ministerio de Comercio Industria y Turismo para su aprobación. El termino de validez de este documento es de 180 días contados a partir de la fecha de su expedición esto para téngalo en cuenta que es para ALADI y CAN y para el G3 es de 1 año. (Anexo 2)

Registro Como Productor Nacional

Es un documento que permite al Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, determinar el origen de las mercancías objeto de exportación y registrar la producción nacional, así como la Oferta Exportable.

El exportador diligencia y radica la Formas 02 ó 02A, dicho documento se ubica en la página del Ministerio y se debe seguir el procedimiento de la siguiente manera:

Consultar el siguiente Link: http://www.mincomercio.gov.co

Diligenciar el Formulario 02 o el 02-A si son artesanías http://www.mincomercio.gov.co/VBeContent/NewsDetail.asp?ID=601&IDCom pany=7

Registro Ventanilla Unica de Comercio –VUCE-

*Registrar firma en Certicamara (duración inscripción 1 año)

*Registrarse www.vuce.gov.co (rut – cámara de comercio)

*Asignación clave y contraseña

www.vuce.gov.co y diligenciar el formulario único de comercio exterior FUCE.

Escanear la factura o contrato

Consultar el siguiente Link: http://www.certicamara.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=catego ry&sectionid=13

Tipos de Muestras sin Valor Comercial

Libre Exportación

Son todas aquellas muestras que son susceptibles de ser exportadas sin ningún tipo de trámite previo a su exportación. Estas muestras no requieren cumplir ninguna condición administrativa y pueden salir del país sin ningún tipo de restricción para su exportación.

Exportaciones con Vistos Buenos Previos

Algunas muestras dadas sus características propias requieren la obtención de un visto bueno previo ante diferentes entidades de control. En este caso es muy importante analizar el esquema arancelario y verificar si el  producto que se pretende exportar requiere algún trámite anterior para lograr la salida del territorio colombiano. El exportador deberá tramitar  ante la autoridad correspondiente y obtener con anterioridad a la exportación los vistos buenos o requisitos especiales que de conformidad con las normas vigentes.

Muestras Sin Valor Comercial de Prohibida Exportación

No podrá exportarse bajo la modalidad de muestras sin valor comercial los siguientes productos, los cuales tendrán un trámite aduanero diferente al régimen aplicable a las muestras.

a.     Café

b.     Esmeraldas

c.     Artículos manufacturados de metales preciosos

d.     Oro y sus aleaciones

e.     Platino

f.       Metales del grupo del platino

g.     Cenizas de orfebrería

h.     Residuos o desperdicios de oro

i.       Productos minerales con concentrados auríferos

j.       Plata

k.     Platino

l.       Plasma humano

m. Órganos humanos

n.     Estupefacientes y los productos cuya exportación está prohibida, tales como los bienes que forman parte del patrimonio artístico, histórico y arqueológico de la nación.

o.     No quedan comprendidas en la prohibición aquí prevista, las exportaciones de muestras de café efectuadas por la Federación  Nacional de Cafeteros o las que de este producto se realicen mediante programas de exportación autorizados por la Federación.

 

 

Colombia country brief

Overview

Australia and Colombia enjoy expanding relations, based on trade, investment and cooperation on a range of international issues, including the environment, agricultural development, climate change, transnational crime and disarmament.

The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1976, when Australia’s first Ambassador to Colombia, A.H. Loomes presented credentials. The Australian Embassy in Santiago, Chile, is accredited concurrently to Colombia. In addition, Australia has a Consulate-General, managed by Austrade, as well as an Australian Federal Police Liaison Office in Bogotá. Colombia has an Embassy in Canberra.

The Republic of Colombia, located in north-west South America, is slightly smaller than South Australia and Victoria combined.  Colombia is dominated by the Andes mountain range in the north and west, and the Amazon and Orinoco river basins to the south and east.  Colombia is experiences a range of climatic conditions depending on the land elevation and prevailing winds, including desert in the far north, savannah in the east, tropical rainforest in the south and temperate to cold climates depending on the altitude.  Colombia also has a string of islands in the western Caribbean.  Colombia is derived from Christopher Columbus’ name.  The capital of Colombia is Bogotá.

Colombia’s population is approximately 47.1 million (2013 est).  The main ethnic groups are mestizo (58 per cent), white (20 per cent), mulatto (14 per cent), black (four per cent), mixed black-indigenous (three per cent) and indigenous (one per cent).  Roman Catholicism is the main religion with up to 90 per cent of the population identifying as Catholic.  Spanish is the official language of Colombia.

Political overview

Background

The Spanish expedition led by Alonso de Ojeda in 1499, which sailed along the northern coast of South America, marked the beginning of the conquest of Colombia. By 1538, the settlement of Santa Fe de Bogotá (now Bogotá) was established, and the area was governed as part of the vice-royalty of Peru. By 1718, Bogotá had become the capital of the new Spanish vice-royalty of New Granada, which also consisted of modern-day Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

In 1819, Simon Bolivar defeated Spanish forces in a battle at Boyacá and independence from Spain was declared. This led to the formation of the Republic of Gran Colombia, encompassing Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama. By 1830 Gran Colombia had collapsed due to the secession of Venezuela and Ecuador, and the Republic of New Granada emerged, comprising Colombia and Panama.

After several experiments with a federalist model of government, the Republic of Colombia was declared in 1886 and Panama seceded in 1903. Colombia was the first constitutional government in South America.

Political outlook

Colombia has a democratically elected representative government with a strong executive. The President, who is the head of state and government, is elected for a four-year term and may stand for one consecutive re-election. The legislature is a bicameral congress consisting of a 102-member Senate and a 166-member Chamber of Representatives, with all members directly elected for four-year terms.

In recent decades, Colombia has enjoyed constitutional and institutional stability based on the strict separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, and the relatively weak influence of the military in government affairs.

Recent developments

President Juan Manuel Santos, of the centre-right Social Party of National Unity (UP), won re-election in a closely fought run-off ballot in June 2014. Santos had based his campaign to negotiate an end to the 50 year armed conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) terrorist group. He was challenged by hardliner and former cabinet member Óscar Ivan Zuluaga (also a protégé of Santos's predecessor – and former ally – President Álvaro Uribe). Santos had generally enjoyed widespread approval since his election in June 2010 for his handling of the economy, international relations and the fight against corruption and insurgency. While maintaining Uribe's tough stance on security and strong ties with the United States, he had also emphasised an agenda of social and economic reform. In 2014 the peace process advanced more slowly than expected. In November Santos suspended talks in protest of the FARC's kidnapping of an army general. Negotiations resumed in mind-December. The 36th round of Government-FARC negotations began on 28 April 2015 amid high political tensions following the death of eleven soldiers.Santos's foreign policy priorities haveincluded the diversification of the country's trade and investment links, both within the region and towards the Asia Pacific and Europe. President Santos continues efforts to improve Colombia's international engagement and image abroad, such as through commencing accession to the OECD, cooperation with NATO and pro tempore presidency of the Pacific Alliance, which it handed to Mexico in June 2014.

Political history—guerrilla warfare and the peace process

The deep political divisions shaping Colombia's modern development have strong historical roots, emerging shortly after independence from Spain. The political tension between the conservative right and progressive left came to a head in La Violencia (1948-1958), a period during which an estimated 250,000 people died. La Violencia was resolved by the formation of a National Front in which the two main political parties, the Liberal and Conservative Parties, agreed to rotate the presidency and share cabinet positions, which continued until 1974.

During the 1960s, several guerrilla groups emerged due to continued social, economic and political problems, including the FARC, the now demobilised M-19, the National Liberation Army (ELN), the Popular Liberation Army (EPL) and the indigenous-based group Quintin Lame. The FARC and the smaller ELN emerged as the major guerrilla groups. Their struggle has largely lost its ideological flavour and in the 1980s and 1990s the two groups became heavily involved in the lucrative narcotics and kidnapping industries.

Violent crime and kidnappings, while still high, reduced significantly under President Uribe, who won the 2002 elections. Under the “law on peace and justice”, negotiations with the main right-wing paramilitary groups led to over 40,000 paramilitaries demobilising and giving up their arms, although some right wing groups consolidated their membership and continue to be involved in organised crime.

Under Uribe, the FARC suffered significant setbacks in its guerrilla campaign as its control of areas of the Colombian countryside diminished. A 2008 raid by elite Colombian troops was successful in releasing 15 more long-term hostages, including the high-profile French-Colombian national and former Senator, Ingrid Betancourt, and three American contractors. The raid was a significant blow to the FARC, as Betancourt and the US hostages were a powerful bargaining tool. In the same year, FARC leader Manual Marulanda died from a heart attack and a controversial incursion into Ecuador by Colombian forces resulted in the death of senior FARC figure Raul Reyes. However, the incursion led to Ecuador and Venezuela breaking off diplomatic ties with Colombia.

Peace talks between the FARC and the Colombian government commenced in Havana, Cuba, in November 2012. The negotiations focus on five agenda items: agrarian reform (including access to land); political participation for FARC members; drug trafficking; reparation for victims of the conflict; and the logistics of ending the armed conflict. The government and the FARC announced in May 2013 that an agreement had been reached on agrarian reform, which included a land fund to redistribute illegally held or underused land to displaced people. Negotiations continue with varying degrees of optimism on a successful outcome.

Foreign Policy

After many years focused on internal developments, Colombia is projecting itself as open for business and as a global partner for cooperation, including trade and investment, security, technology, education, and energy. The Santos administration has significantly expanded Colombia’s international engagement, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Colombia is a founding member of the outward-looking and trade-liberalising trading bloc, the Pacific Alliance (along with Chile, Mexico and Peru). Colombia served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2011-12, and commenced accession to the OECD in June 2013. Colombia is an active member of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), seeks membership of APEC and has expressed interest in participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations.

Constructive relations within Latin America and the Caribbean are also a priority for Colombia. Following a dispute in 2008 which led to interruptions in diplomatic ties, relations with neighbours Venezuela and Ecuador have been stable. Colombia is an active member of the Association of Caribbean States, and the Organization of American States (OAS). A territorial and maritime dispute with Nicaragua, on which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 2012 that Colombia would cede maritime territory, is a source of tension with its northern neighbour. The United States is Colombia’s most important trading partner. The US-Colombia free trade agreement came into effect in May 2012 and has boosted Colombia’s most significant trading relationship which in 2012 accounted for 36.9 per cent of Colombia’s merchandise exports and 24.3 per cent of its merchandise imports. US-Colombia engagement is being further developed following the achievements of “Plan Colombia” through the Colombia-US High Level Partnership Dialogue.

In 2011, seven per cent of Colombia’s merchandise exports were destined for the Asia-Pacific. Colombia completed negotiations for an FTA with the Republic of Korea in June 2012. The FTA is Colombia’s first in the Asia-Pacific region and is seen as a further bridge towards greater integration. In May 2012, during a visit to China by President Santos, Colombia and China signed nine agreements, and agreed to commence an FTA feasibility study.

Narcotics

Colombia is a major global supplier of cocaine, marijuana and heroin. The illicit narcotics trade is estimated to be worth around five to ten per cent of GDP. The cultivation and trafficking of drugs continues to have a negative impact on security, the formal economy and the environment. In particular, the use of fragile tropical and jungle ecosystems to grow cocaine, including the use of agricultural chemicals, has caused considerable environmental harm.

Human rights

While human rights abuses continue in Colombia, the situation has improved with an overall lessening of civil conflict and policy reforms. A program of land restitution, commenced by the Santos administration in 2011, has begun to address social injustices arising during the country’s civil conflict. Historically, the major source of human rights abuses in Colombia has stemmed from the internal armed conflict between the Colombian army, paramilitaries and the guerrillas. A July 2013 report showed that across the length of the conflict, 5,7 million have been forcibly displaced, 220,000 have died, and more than 25,000 have disappeared.

Australian Ministers and diplomatic officials regularly raise the issue of human rights with Colombian authorities.

Bilateral Relations

The first records of Colombians in Australia dates back to four people included in the 1911 Census. Colombian migration to Australia remained negligible until the Australian Government’s assisted passage migration program was extended to Latin American countries, including Colombia, in the late 1960s. The 2011 Census recorded 11,317 Colombia-born people in Australia, an increase of 98.3 per cent from the 2006 Census. More information on the Colombia-born community in Australia can be found at the Department of Social Services’ Community Information Summary page.

Australia and Colombia have a history of working together in the international community since the end of the Second World War. Australia and Colombia both contributed combat forces to the 17-nation United Nations Command during the Korean War (1950-53) and both work together to pursue free and fair agricultural trade through joint membership of the Cairns Group. Australia and Colombia cooperate to advance climate change negotiations as members of the Cartagena Group. Both countries participate in the WTO Trade in Services Agreement negotiations.

There has been increasing engagement between Colombia and Australia in the beef and dairy sectors following a visit by visit to Australia by 170 delegates from the Colombian Cattle Federation to Queensland in October 2013. This was followed by a beef and dairy cattle delegation comprising representatives from government, industry and institutions who visited Australia in February 2014.

In 2001, the Australian Government established the Council on Australia-Latin America Relations (COALAR) which aims to enhance commercial, political and cultural relations between Australia and Latin America. Since its inception, COALAR has been active in promoting business, education, tourism and cultural links between Australia and Latin America.  For updates on COALAR activities and information on the annual grants program, follow COALAR on Facebook.

People to people links

Colombia is second to Brazil as a source of international students to Australia from South America, with over 8,138 Colombian students studying in Australian educational institutions in 2014. Australian education fairs in Colombia consistently attract thousands of interested students. Some universities in Australia now offer scholarships to Colombian students.

The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute and the CSIRO are expanding their research links with Colombian institutions, particularly in the areas of mining and water management.

While the majority of Colombian students undertake ELICOS courses (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) in Australia, there is also a large demand for university and vocational education and training placements.

Development assistance

From 2010 to 2014, Australia provided $100 million in official development assistance to Latin America, including 250 Australia Awards scholarships.  Colombia received 23 Australia Awards Scholarships and 28 Australia Awards Fellowships (including the current round). The regional program has now closed, though some activities that have already been funded will continue until 2017. In support of sustainable economic development in Colombia, Australia provided over $1.2 million from a $10 million Multilateral Investment Fund with the Inter-American Development Bank. Australian funds are helping to increase the availability of savings products for low income women; and providing training on financial services, income generation, and other cross-cutting issues including child protection, environment and human rights.

The Australian Embassy in Santiago de Chile manages a Direct Aid Program (DAP), which provides financial support to a broad range of projects in Colombia, including community development projects and those designed to address challenges in vulnerable communities.

Economic overview

At a glance

For latest economic data refer to Colombia Fact Sheet [PDF 30 KB]

Economic and trade policy directions

The Santos administration pursues outward-looking, market-oriented trade and economic policies aimed at attracting foreign direct investment, maintaining macro-economic growth and stability, and improving the business environment. Unemployment decreased to 7.9 per cent by October 2014, from a high of 10.5 per cent in February 2014. President Santos has undertaken to balance the budget by 2014 and pledged to reform the labour market, address corruption and spend more on education.

Colombia has a growing network of free trade agreements (FTAs), including with the United States, Canada, the European Union and South Korea. It is currently in the process of ratifying the Pacific Alliance FTA. Exports to China have increased by 85 per cent since 2006. China is now Colombia’s second largest import source and export destination, accounting for 8.7% of exports and 17.5% of imports in 2013.

Colombia has a population of 47.1 million (2013) and has five cities with populations over two million – Bogotá (7.6 million), Medellin (2.4 million), Cali (2.3 million), and the Barranquilla/Cartagena region (2-3 million). Its large population and geographical position, linking the Pacific and Caribbean, provides Colombia with significant opportunities for future economic growth.

Economic outlook

The IMF forecasts Colombia’s real growth will be  approximately 4.5 per cent in 2015. This follows strong growth in 2011 and 2012 (6.6 per cent and 4.0 per cent respectively) driven by expansion in mining and oil production and fixed investment. Managing inflation is a policy priority against a background of sustained economic growth. The estimated inflation rate for 2014 was 2.8 per cent, dropping from 3.2 per cent in 2012. This exceeds the 2-4 per cent target set by the central bank of Colombia, Banco de la Republica. Inflationary pressures will be tempered, at least in part, by increases in production capacity off the back of strong growth in foreign investment. With exports of oil accounting for more than half of Colombia’s exports, the economy is negatively impacted by low international oil prices. 

Colombia has encouraged increasing levels of foreign direct investment in recent years. In 2013 Australia’s Foreign Direct Investment in Colombia reached A$636 million. Colombia is ranked 34 of 189 economies in World Bank indicators on ease of doing business, an improvement over the previous five years (where lower numerical scores mean the  regulatory environment is more conducive to business operation). According to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, flows of foreign direct investment in Colombia reached US$15.8 billion in 2012, more than doubling since 2010. The principal sectors for investment were petroleum and mining.

foreign affairs, mining and energy. In June 2012, the then Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, met President Santos in Brazil during the Rio+20 summit.

Economic and trade relationship

While Australia and Colombia enjoy growing commercial relations in mining and energy over the long term, two-way trade in these sectors has been subject to recent short term fluctuations. Australia's two-way merchandise trade with Colombia totalled around A$101 million in 2013-14, an increase from $74 million in 2012. Australian exports to Colombia in 2013-14  reached almost A$49 million (up from $28.5 million in 2012). Major export items included electrical circuits equipment, food processing machines and parts, and civil engineering equipment and parts. Australia's imports from Colombia amounted to A$62 million (up from $45 million in 2012), with coffee being the main import.

Although two way trade is minimal, Colombia has emerged as a country of investment and trade interest to Australian companies, presenting opportunities in mining and education, as well as potentially in agribusiness and infrastructure. In 2009, Australia and Colombia signed an MOU on “Strengthening Bilateral Trade and Investment”. Colombia has expressed interest in a bilateral FTA with Australia, and is an observer in a number of APEC committees.

Australian businesses already have a major presence in Colombia with 34 companies operating in the country (including nine ASX200 companies), particularly in the mining sector. BHP Billiton is a significant foreign investor with operations in the Cerrejon Norte coal mine complex and Cerro Matoso nickel mine. Other key Australian companies active in Colombia include; Orica, Ludowici, Runge, Ausproof, QBE Insurance, Qantas, Nufarm and Sedgman Limited, Heldwell Ltd, S&A Capital Investment Bank, Australian Drilling Associates, The Sentient Group and Redflex Traffic Systems.

Trade and Investment

Colombia is developing frameworks to encourage more foreign investment and trade, with a view to stable and sustainable economic growth. In this context, Australian expertise, and firms, are increasing their focus on supporting the policy development framework in these countries across a number of sectors. A number of areas, principally in the mining, energy and agriculture sectors and allied services industries, provide opportunities for Australian investment in Colombia. Foreign direct investment in Colombia has grown following improvements in the security situation and business environment.

Mining

In December 2014, during a visit to Latin America, the Minister for Trade and Investment, Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, signed a Mining Memorandum of Understanding with Colombia.

Colombia has the largest coal reserves in Latin America and the Colombian Government is encouraging the development of coal-related infrastructure. In May 2013, Colombia sent a Mining Best Practice Mission to Australia and announced it would join the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. Opportunities for Australian business range from infrastructure development, concessions, mine system operation, coal washing and remote mine site catering. Colombia also has significant reserves of gold, silver, platinum and iron ore.

Agribusiness

There is significant Colombian interest in Australian agribusiness expertise. The agribusiness sector provides potential for technical cooperation and technology transfer, especially in the sugar cane, dairy, livestock and tropical fruit industries. Demand for bovine genetics offer great potential for Australian breeders of tropical cattle such as Brahman, allowing the importation of Australian bovine embryos have been in place since 2008.

Other commercial opportunities

Other prospects include rail and port infrastructure, and information technology. Colombia has also shown interest in defence-related technology through contact with a range of Australian companies. Colombia's tourist industry on the Atlantic Coast is experiencing growth and opportunities may exist for Australian manufactures of ferries, catamarans and leisure craft. There is also growing interest in Australian sports training and development and wines, with several brands now available in Colombian supermarkets and restaurants.

Information on doing business and opportunities in Colombia.

High level visits

March 2015: First Assistant Secretary of the Americas Division, Brendon Hammer travelled to Colombia to participate in the International Institute for Strategic Studies Cartagena Dialogue.

February 2015: Australia’s Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt MP visited Bogotá to meet with senior level officials including Colombia’s Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr Gabriel Vallejo López and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Patti Londoño.

November 2013: Colombian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Patti Londoño, visited Australia to conduct senior level talks.

May 2013: Then Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, the Hon. Kelvin Thomson represented Australia at the VII Pacific Alliance Summit in Cali, Colombia.

April 2012: Then Minister for Trade and Competitiveness, the Hon. Craig Emerson, led an Australian business delegation to Colombia, where he met the Colombian ministers responsible for trade, foreign affairs, mining and energy.

June 2012: Then Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard, met President Santos in Brazil during the Rio+20 summit.

March 2010: Colombia’s then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jaime Bermudez, visited Australia.

March 2009: Colombia's then Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Mr Luis Guillermo Plata, visited Australia in, accompanied by a business delegation. The visit led to the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral trade and investment, which trade ministers signed in Geneva on 29 November 2009.

Last Updated: April 2015