Canada
and Colombia
Notes for an Address by The Honourable
David Kilgour,
Secretary of State for Latin America and
Africa
At a Luncheon in Honour of Four Colombian
Ministers
Palliser Hotel, Calgary, June 2, 1999
Let me begin by offering a very warm welcome
to Minister Fernández of Foreign Affairs,
Minister Valenzuela of Mines and Energy,
Minister De Francisco of Communications
and Minister Ramírez de Rincón of International
Trade and to your entire delegation to Calgary.
I hope that your brief stay here will be
fruitful and that you enjoy some of our
Western Hospitality for which Calgarians
are particularly famous.
On this, the last day of your visit to
Canada, we are pleased that you have come
to Calgary and Western Canada. Too often,
state visits focus on the Montreal, Ottawa,
Toronto corridor and don’t take advantage
of the dynamism and potential found outside
the centre.
It is here in Western Canada that, because
of a similarity in geography, geology and
resource base, that Canadians are following
very closely the developments in your country.
It is here that Colombian opportunity meets
with Canadian capability.
We know that there is still tremendous
untapped potential in our commercial relationship,
and so we welcome this opportunity to learn
more about the economic and commercial possibilities
in Colombia.
Some of Canada’s largest investors
in Colombia are based here in Calgary. They
have already recognized the huge potential
of the Colombian economy. More are joining
them. As Colombia advances with its ambitious
privatization plans, exciting new opportunities
will emerge for Canadians in the telecommunications,
hydroelectric, transport, mining and natural
resources, and oil and natural gas.
Ministers, I can say without reservation,
that Canada wants to be part of these developments
in your country, and partners in its future
growth. For in all of these areas, and more,
Canadian companies offer world-class technologies
and expertise.
Canada is about to embark on a heightened
level of engagement in and with the Americas.
It is a priority for Canada because we see
it as the natural next step in our growth
and evolution as a nation.
In just a few weeks, we will welcome the
athletes of the hemisphere to the Pan-American
Games in Winnipeg. In September, the First
Spouses of the Americas will meet in Ottawa.
In November, Canada will host the Americas
Business Forum, in Toronto, to be followed
immediately by the Free Trade Area of the
Americas meeting of Trade Ministers.
We will spare our friends from more tropical
climates from the rigours of a Canadian
winter and come together again in Edmonton
for an event of particular interest to me,
the Model Organization of American States.
The real one will take place this month
in Guatemala. And, of course, Canada is
also the venue for the next Summit of the
Americas, to be held in Quebec City.
Clearly, we have come to realize that our
future is tied to the Americas, and our
trading patterns reflect this.
With respect to Colombia, our third largest
export market in South America, we already
have a solid base. In 1998, bilateral trade
surpassed $700 million. Investment, another
excellent measure of our commercial partnership,
has also experienced enormous growth in
recent years.
And we are taking steps to build on this
foundation.
On Monday, Ministers Marchi and Ramírez
agreed that we should redouble our efforts
to conclude a Foreign Investment Protection
Agreement and a Double Taxation Agreement
as soon as we possibly can.
Successful conclusion of these two agreements
on foreign investment and taxation send
very positive signals to our business communities
and pave the way for more trade and investment
between us.
Ministers also signed a Trade and Investment
Cooperation Arrangement between Canada and
the member countries of the Andean Community.
The arrangement will enable us to intensify
and strengthen our economic and commercial
relationship, through promoting trade and
investment, information sharing on business
opportunities, and reviewing barriers to
trade and investment flows. It establishes
the framework for future action and cooperation
on economic and commercial matters.
These understandings are reflections of
the strong ties we are developing with the
region.
Ministers, your visit to Canada has heightened
an awareness of the opportunities in your
country and we are building upon a solid
foundation for a lasting and prosperous
partnership between our peoples.
Be assured of Canada’s commitment
to forging such a partnership as we continue
to evolve as a nation of the Americas.
Thank you.
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