BOGOTA, Colombia – The VIII Economic Committee Colombia-Japan, which took place today in Bogotá, revealed that coffee is a cornerstone in the commercial relationship between Colombia and Japan.
With over 120 senior officials and business representatives from both countries, including the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation´s (FNC) CEO Luis G. Muñoz as chair of the Committee, the event was a propitious scenario to increase mutual economic, development and investment knowledge while exploring possibilities to enhance the relationship between the nations.
After highlighting the FNC´s persistence in increasing productivity while generating greater value for the producers, Mr. Muñoz stated that the Japanese market has high potential for Colombian Coffee. Not only is Japan Colombia´s second largest coffee export destination, but the consumption of coffee based canned beverages has boosted and the Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape denomination has been well received in Japanese chains.
Within the frame of the peace conversations currently taking place in Cuba, Japan´s emergence as an economic power in the aftermath of World War II led Mr. Muñoz to recognize the country as a benchmark for Colombia.
Yorihiko Kojima, President of the Committee, noted that the fundamental policies for Japan´s economic recovery were low-priced currency, versatile financial policy, and growth that attracted investment.
Correspondingly, Mauricio Cárdenas, Colombia´s Minister of Finance and Public Credit, analyzed Colombia´s outstanding economic growth during the past 10 years highlighting the country´s favorable credit ratings, sound fiscal policy, inflation decrease, GDP and GDP per capita growth, rising employment opportunities, growth of the middle class, and reduction of poverty.
The Minister stated that the core of the country´s vigorous economic performance has been the increasing investment on transportation infrastructure and the peace conversations which, when materialized, will have a substantial impact on Colombia´s economic growth.
Within the frame of the Pacific Alliance formed by Colombia, Mexico, Chile and Peru, Mr. Kojima also expressed his desire for Japan to be a nexus between Latin American and Asian countries.
Similarly, while transmitting a message from the Japanese Prime Minister Shinz? Abe, Japan´s Ambassador to Colombia Kazuo Watanabe, stated that the Pacific Alliance and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) were crucial for strengthening the relationship between both countries.
Takao Omae, President of the Work Group of Keidanren´s Pacific Alliance and senior adviser of Mitsui & Co, noted that as multilateral negotiations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) show a slow progress, bilateral and regional agreements such as EPA and the Pacific Alliance hasten the pace towards integration.
Patricia Cárdenas, Colombian Ambassador to Japan, stated that although there are important bilateral exchanges in the academic, cultural and sport sectors, the relationship in terms of investment and trade, particularly regarding infrastructure and technological development, should be deepened.
Accordingly, Mr. Cárdenas invited Japanese businessmen to invest in the infrastructure, energetic-mining, and agricultural sectors because of their potential to trigger bilateral trade. Similarly, Rosario Córdoba, President of the Private Competitiveness Council, advocated the transformation of Colombia´s productive structure towards a model of high-edge technology and higher value added that does not compromise the country´s agricultural sector.
Although Japan is a leading global exporter of high-edge technology, Colombian flower and coffee exports to the Japanese market account for an important portion of Colombia´s exports. Augusto Solano, President of the Colombian Association of Flower Exporters (Asocolflores) explained the important place Japan occupies as a destination for Colombian flowers.
Source: FNC
