Colombia´s FTA:

Diana MenjuraGiovanni AriasLizet CeballesRosa Robayo

Tlc Colombia – Mexico

• Includes tariff elimination program for the universe ofindustrial products over a period of 10 years in theagricultural and automotive sectors currently have a specialdeal , 92 % of the tariff is totally eliminated , leaving sometax relief and other subheadings of subheadings excludedrelease program , belonging mostly to the agricultural sector.

• Disciplines and rules for ensuring the free and efficient tradein services in the region. The basic principles are : nationaltreatment, not mandatory and local presence . It covers allservices, except government functions

• The Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Colombia and the Republics of El Salvador , Guatemala and Honduras ( Northern Triangle of Central America ) was signed in Medellin on August 9, 2007 and entered into force in Guatemala on November 12, 2009 , with the Savior 's February 2, 2010 with Honduras and the March 27, 2010

• The Cartagena Agreement , which gave birth to the Andean Group ,began to take shape in 1966 with the Declaration of Bogotá andbecame effective on October 16, 1969 when the Standing Committeeof LAFTA won the official endorsement of the Government of Peru ,after of the governments of Colombia and Chile. In November 1969 ,Ecuador and Bolivia ratified and Venezuela joined in 1973 . Chilewithdrew in 1976 .

• The Agreement has been amended several very important for theAndean integration process , highlighting among others, performedby the Trujillo Protocol , signed by the Andean Presidents during theeighth Presidential Council held in the city of Trujillo, Peru in March1996 Protocol which creates the Andean Community

• Trade in Services: the need for cooperation in this area sector , based on the results of the WTO. The parties will negotiate amendments or additions to that effect.

• Transport: the parties recognize the importance of improving transport services as a means to facilitate the exchange between the parties in this regard , inter alia , promote the establishment of centers for cargo consolidation.

• With this Agreement, any FTA was formed through a trade liberalizationprogram , which applies to products originating in and coming from theterritories of the Signatory Parties ( Colombia and Ecuador by CAN ,Argentina , Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay products by MERCOSUR andVenezuela ) . The program is progressive and automatic , applicable onexisting tariffs for imports from third countries in each Signatory Partybreaks

• In 1998 the Andean Community and Mercosur signed a Framework Agreement to establish a free trade area , in which the basis for the formation of the enlarged space is established . In this sense , determined that negotiations would take place in two stages: first to negotiate a Fixed Tariff Preferences and the second to establish a Free Trade Agreement

• The Agreement has as main objectives the establishment of an enhanced economic space between the two countries that allows the free movement of goods, services and factors of production ; total lien release and removal of restrictions on imports from them.

• For the Colombian government 's priority to strengthen the access of our exports with higher value added markets, such as the EFTA countries , which are characterized by high purchasing power. On the other hand , is of great interest to our country promote the expansion and diversification of investments of the member countries of EFTA in Colombia .

• Colombia and the EFTA Member States share a strong interest in strengthening economic lie , investment and cooperation. This is a first step towards that future advances are realized in similar initiatives with other countries of the European continent .

• The Agreement is based on the principles of nationaltreatment, most favored nation and transparency . Itbenefits the export sector because they can sell theirproducts and services on favorable terms , in the Canadianmarket , and investment will be encouraged. Also benefitsdomestic producers now have the ability to purchase goodsand services at competitive prices sticking efficiency andcompetitors

• First, there are issues related to access to markets and access to materials goods (agricultural and non-agricultural ) , rules of origin and origin procedures and trade facilitation , sanitary and phytosanitarymeasures, technical barriers include the commerce and trade defense measures .

• Secondly aspects related investment and services, which include topics like investment, trade in services , telecommunications , financial services and the temporary entry of business persons are presented .

• Third, the cross-cutting themes that establish disciplines to which the commercial activities of both countries are subjected are described ; including competition policy , labor and environmental issues , public procurement , e-commerce , cooperation concerning trade and dispute resolution

• Due to the increasing gap between exports and imports , the majority being second to Colombia , the need to promote major changes in trade policy , such as finding new markets and it is important to move without delay toward subscription is evident FTAs as it was decided to negotiate with the United states .before the last extension of the ATPDEA in 2010 , which ended on February 15, 2011 , the FTA with the US is viewed as an opportunity for entrepreneurs to make investments in the long term , to increase their productive capacity and have stability in time and in favorable conditions for exports

•As a result , Colombia may enter the Cuban market with 100% preferences : live animals, beef, dairy , flowers, potatoes, vegetables, bananas , coffee, rice , palm oil , margarine , candy , confetti, chocolate products bakery , jam , mineral water and aerated waters , beer, among others. Tariff preferences of 80% : meat and poultry , fish fillets , poultry eggs , natural honey, onions, beans , among others. Tariff Preferences between 30% and 50% in : cheese , canned meat , canned fruit , fruit juices , alcoholic beverages , animal feed

• Duration : the agreement in question, has a term of three ( 3) years, renewable automatically for similar periods , if the country concerned to terminate communicates no such intention to the other signatory ninety ( 90) days prior to the date it expires.

• The Governments of the signatory countries shall designate an administrative authority to permanently address the queries of either Party and administer the provisions of this Agreement.

• The revision and amendment of this Agreement must be signed by signing this Agreement an additional instrument