Colombia will push for membership of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) at next weekend’s summit in Yokohama, Japan, says Trade, Industry and Tourism Minister Sergio Diaz-Granados
“For Colombia it is a priority to be member of APEC”, as it would allow the country to “diversify trade,” with more investment and better access to new technologies, Diaz-Granados told EFE news agency.
The Colombian minister also stressed that 63% of Colombia’s trade is currently with APEC members, and half of country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in the last decade has come from the group.
For the last few years, APEC has had a moratorium on the entry of new countries. Currently there are no signs that admission of new members during the summit in Japan will be allowed.
Diaz-Granados’ agenda on November 11 will begin with a presentation on policies implemented by the Colombian government.
Two days later, the minister will address the importance of the relationship between Latin America and Asia and request Colombia’s admission as member of APEC.
Colombia has long sought to enter APEC, and in 2009 declared its intention to join this year.
Peru, Chile and Mexico are members of the regional group.
Peruvian president Alan Garcia in October urged Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Panama to work towards a closer relationship with “the other side of the Pacific through these new universal systems, such as APEC [Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation].”