Colombia’s future in trade is strong - Truth About Trade and Technology

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Thursday, 20 November 2008 18:08

Brownfield Ag Network
November 20, 2008 Some members of Congress have been reluctant to vote for the U.S. Colombia Free Trade Agreement because of their concerns about human rights and violence against Colombian labor leaders, but U.S. Embassy Economic Counselor Larry Gumbiner says that Colombia has changed.

“It is now one of the strongest democracies in the region,” said Gumbiner. “The violence rates have taken a nose dive in Colombia and we see great potential for U.S. business.”

Colombian Swine Association Manager Consuelo Velasco is pushing for passage, too, but concedes that some members fear having to compete with the much larger U.S. pork industry.

“Some of our pork producers think if pork is coming from the U.S., it means consumers here in Colombia will change the local consumption for products that come from the U.S,” said Velasco.

The U.S. producers visiting Colombia are hoping the lame duck Congress will vote on the measure.