Economy
Colombia is a free market economy with major commercial and investment ties to the United States. Transition from a highly regulated economy has been underway for more than 15 years with tariff reductions, financial deregulation, and privatization of state-owned enterprises and adoption of a more liberal foreign exchange rate. These policies eased import restrictions and opened most sectors to foreign investment.
Foreign investors are welcomed as technology, management expertise, access to overseas markets, and finance, can be brought to the market.
Colombia's economy is heavily dependent upon its natural resources. Main exports include its well known coffee, petroleum and petroleum products, emeralds, fruits, flowers, iron and steel, textiles and apparel. Colombia has not suffered any dramatic economic collapses. Prudent fiscal policies are maintained and economic reforms including tax, pension and budget reforms are pursued.
The sustained growth of the Colombian economy can be attributed to an increase in domestic security, the policies of keeping inflation low and maintaining a stable currency (the Colombian peso), petroleum price increases and an increase in exports to neighbouring countries and the United States as a result of trade liberalization.
Free trade negotiations between Canada and Colombia are underway and once agreed upon, is expected to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and boost already strong two-way trade.
