Welcome to the office of the Trade Commissioner Service in Bogota. Our mandate is to advance Canadian interests in Colombia by promoting Canadian exports and supporting investment opportunities both in Canada and in Colombia.

Colombia is Canada’s third largest export market in South America after Brazil and Chile and fourth largest trading partner in Latin America and the Caribbean (excluding Mexico). Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Colombia reached $1.56 billion in 2011, an increase of 12.9% from 2010. Canada’s merchandise exports totalled $760.9 million in 2011 and included machinery, cereals, motor vehicles, vegetables, paper and paperboard. Imports from Colombia reached $799.9 million in 2011 and included mineral fuel and oils, coffee, fruits and nuts, trees and plants, and plastic.

Canadian direct investment in Colombia reached nearly $1.7 billion at the end of 2011, making Colombia the fiftth largest investment destination in South and Central America. Canadian investment in the Colombian extractive sectors such as mining and oil and gas exploration and production has increased consistently since 2004. Canadian companies have also invested significantly in the financial sector as well as in agri-food, pulp and paper, printing, shoe manufacturing, plastics, education and forestry.

Colombia is very interested in associating with Canadian firms and this reflects the sharply increasing awareness of Canada as a source of technology and quality products. This perception owes much to the very high profile of Canadian companies active in Colombia such as Talisman Energy, Pacific Rubiales, Petrominerales, Nexen, Scotiabank, Continental Gold, Bata Footwear, Kruger Paper, McCain Foods, LaSalle College, Brookfield Asset Management, SNC-Lavalin and Norton Rose.