Colombian President Alvaro Uribe urged international investors to
continue the flow of foreign investment into Colombia to “defend” against the
current economic crisis.
Speaking at the Nueva Economía Forum in Madrid, Uribe encouraged banks to provide micro-credit to businesses “because it fosters the economy and creates greater social cohesion”.
He also encouraged Spanish businesses to invest in areas such as infrastructure, bio fuels, medical and cosmetic research and health tourism. He said the Colombian government had removed “all obstacles” to foreign investment.
When asked how he would guarantee security in Colombia, as well as politcial and social change, Uribe said, “I will fight against terrorism until the last day of my life”. He said he was not ambitious for power but for security, investment and prosperity in Colombia.
Uribe said he was “optimistic” that Colombia would secure trade agreements with Europe and the U.S.
The Colombian head of state, who arrived in Spain Tuesday, is currently in Europe to consolidate trade ties. He will also receive the Libertad
Cortés de Cádiz award for his efforts in seeking freedom and his open opposition to terrorism.
Uribe took advantage of his visit to launch an interactive bus that will travel around Spain promoting tourism and investment in Colombia.
The bus is painted with the slogan “Colombia: the only risk is that you won’t want to leave”. On board are informative pamphlets, photos and computers containing information about Colombia.
The bus will first travel through the northern Spanish cities of Bilboa and Barcelona before heading to other Spanish cities. There is a similar bus currently travelling through the U.S. with the same goal of promoting Colombia.