On Thursday, August 10, 2023, a historic moment was marked in the relations between Switzerland and Colombia. The President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, strengthening the close ties between the two nations and designating Colombia as a priority ally for Switzerland.
A Relationship Focused on Peace, Humanitarian Aid, and Economic Cooperation
The discussions between the two presidents were varied and profound, encompassing topics such as Switzerland’s commitment in Colombia, the promotion of peace, humanitarian aid, international cooperation, drug policy, and the situation in Europe and Latin America.
Switzerland expressed admiration for the progress made in the Colombian peace process and reiterated its willingness to continue its engagement in the country. A bilateral agreement concerning the preservation of a digital copy of the Colombian Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s archives was signed by both presidents.
Economy and Trade
Economic relations between the two countries were also discussed. Economic exchanges between Switzerland and Colombia reached a volume of about $1.14 billion in 2022. Switzerland imported goods totaling $497.04 million, while Swiss exports to Colombia amounted to $644.44 million. Swiss direct investments in Colombia were $5.93 billion at the end of 2021.
Several agreements govern economic relations, including a free trade agreement since 2011, an agreement on the mutual promotion and protection of investments since 2009, and a double taxation treaty since 2011. In April 2021, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations.
The Swiss-Colombian Chamber of Commerce (CCCS) plays a key role in trade promotion since 1974 and works closely with the Swiss Embassy and Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE).
Development Cooperation
Since 2009, Colombia has been a priority country for SECO in economic cooperation for development. A program aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the Colombian economy and promote sustainable and inclusive growth, with a budget of $51.3 million for the period 2021-2024.
Conclusion
The Swiss President’s visit to Colombia, the first since 2016, marked an important milestone in consolidating ties between the two countries. Colombia is now a priority partner for Switzerland in essential areas such as humanitarian aid, the promotion of peace, and economic cooperation. The strengthening of these relationships is not only a sign of hope in a world marked by the pandemic and international tensions but also a testimony to the solid and mutually beneficial cooperation between two nations sharing common values and goals.
