This has been highlighted by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Luis Carlos Reyes, when two years have passed since the arrival of Gustavo Petro to the presidency of Colombia.
The reestablishment of economic and commercial relations between Colombia and Venezuela, the reactivation of tourism or the signing of an economic association agreement with the United Arab Emirates are some of the achievements of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism after two years of management under the presidency by Gustavo Petro.
This has been highlighted by the person in charge of the portfolio, Luis Carlos Reyes, when two years have passed since the arrival of Gustavo Petro to the presidency of Colombia.
In this period, the ministry has achieved milestones such as the reestablishment of economic and commercial relations between Colombia and Venezuela, which has benefited businessmen from both countries and, especially, the inhabitants of that border.
This event allowed a recovery in trade between the two countries and in 2023 it closed at US$ 791.1 million, a growth of 8.6% compared to 2022. As of May of this year it stands at US$ 393.8 million, a increase of 29.6%.
In the foreign sphere, the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates also stands out, which translates into opportunities for Colombian entrepreneurs in agriculture, manufacturing and foreign trade, or the boost to business with Costa Rica after the signing. of the deepening of the trade agreement in force since 2016, which incorporates or accelerates the tariff reduction program for 325 products in the textile and clothing sector.
Likewise, nearly 12 measures on tariffs and tariff thresholds have been adopted or ratified in different sectors, to generate balance and fair competition in foreign trade.
REACTIVATION OF TOURISM
Likewise, in terms of tourism, progress was made with the reactivation of the sector, reaching record numbers in 2023, when 6,102,383 non-resident visitors arrived in the country, 29.2% more than a year ago. Between 2024 and June, there has also been an 8.5% increase in tourist arrivals.
For its part, with the Tourism for a Culture of Peace strategy, the lives of victims of the armed conflict, signatories of the peace agreement, demobilized people and other actors are being transformed. 163 productive units have already been linked and 250 authorizations of the "Colombia, Destinations of Peace" seal have been delivered.
Through Empretur, the Stimulus, Incentives and Promotion program for the tourism sector is supporting productive units in all territories of the country, with productive capital and technical assistance for more than 19,000 million Colombian pesos (US$ 4. 5 million).
