Category: Noticias

En su primer mes de funcionamiento, el pabellón de Colombia, ubicado en el distrito de “Oportunidad” ha registrado más de 150.000 visitas, convirtiéndose en uno de los pabellones con mayor atractivo para los turistas que visitan la Expo.

El 02 de noviembre el pabellón recibió a la Presidente de ProColombia, Flavia Santoro, quien afirmó que: “Las personas que nos visitaron tuvieron una experiencia encantadora que realmente representa la esencia del país. Los visitantes del pabellón disfrutan de un recorrido por las seis regiones turísticas del país, que destaca la naturaleza, la cultura y las oportunidades de negocios en Colombia”.

Entre las 150.000 visitas, el pabellón ha recibido destacados visitantes como: Su Excelencia Reem Al Hashimy, Directora General de Expo 2020 Dubái; la delegación del pabellón de Panamá, encabezada por la Viceministra de turismo Denise Guillén y la comisaria general Carmen Gisela Vergara; el Viceministro de Hacienda de Colombia, José Manuel Restrepo; además de los ciclistas: Egan Bernal y Fernando Gaviria.

En el marco de la semana del Desarrollo Urbano y rural celebrada en Expo Dubái, la Agencia Nacional de Minería, aliado del pabellón, presentó la charla “Minería y Sostenibilidad” dirigida por Brigitte Baptiste, bióloga colombiana experta en temas ambientales y de sostenibilidad.

Una charla centrada en cómo hacer que el sector minero dirija los recursos financieros para la gestión ambiental del país, teniendo en cuenta que Colombia es el segundo país más biodiversodel mundo.

En el encuentro participaron delegaciones de Kuwait, Botsuana, China y México presentes en Expo Dubái.

Colombia is organizing its largest Business Matchmaking event in support of Expo 2020’s goal of fostering partnerships, catalyzing innovation, and discovering opportunities for strong business and trade investments.

Serving as an ideal gateway to investment possibilities in a variety of sectors, the Matchmaking Forum, hosted by ProColombia, will take place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre Expo from November 7 to 11, 2021, as part of the Expo 2020 activities. Around 3,400 business meetings will take place between 200 Colombian business representatives and 125 buyers from 20 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, with the goal of showcasing Colombia’s products and services and fostering global corporations.

Flavia Santoro, President of ProColombia said: “ProColombia is proud to organize the Business Matchmaking Forum right within the Expo 2020 Dubai to take advantage of the unique opportunities the export and import market has to offer between Colombia and regional businesses in the MEASA region as well as Europe. For years, Business Matchmaking has been proven successful in linking companies and stakeholders, at the same time promoting Colombia’s unique and diverse portfolio. We look forward to the positive outcome of this unique matchmaking opportunity which will only expand the connection and collaboration among industry players.”

The five-day event is one of the leading commercial initiatives of ProColombia, the government agency in charge of fostering Colombia’s non-traditional exports, international tourism, and foreign investment. It aims to pave the way for companies and investors to explore business partnerships in agribusiness, manufacturing, industry 4.0, apparel and chemical supply chains. Companies from various sectors will be represented in each of the industries, such as oils and fats, beverages, and meat etc. in agribusiness; construction materials, home furnishings, and design etc. in manufacturing industry; software, IT services etc. in industry 4.0; clothing and footwear etc. in apparel and personal care products, pharmaceuticals etc. in the chemical supply chain industry.

Santoro further added, “Expo Dubai will be a great opportunity to showcase Colombia’s wide range of high-quality goods and services from a variety of sectors. Our goal is to double sales compared to those generated last year through the Macro Matchmaking Forum of the Americas. In order for Colombian businesses to be as successful as possible, we have conducted webinars to prepare them for these business meetings.”

The forum also seeks to center discussions on logistics between Colombia and the UAE, prospective buyers and exporters, as well as packaging and product development. It will also further look into the potentials of the UAE’s e-commerce sector and trends. The Dubai Expo will be a potentiator and accelerator of the Vision 2030 Colombia – United Arab Emirates thanks to more than 60 actions that include promotional activities, business agendas, and events, with the participation of more than 200 public and private entities.

With the participation of trade allies from many sectors and key organizations, Colombia’s national government seeks to achieve the objective of boosting Non-Mining Energy (NME) exports to US$32 million by 2022, therefore bolstering the goal of achieving US$130 million by 2030.

Growth in NME exports is anticipated to reach USD 32 million by 2022, with a rapid approach to the target of USD 130 million by 2030. The creation of a new direct flight or code sharing with airlines in this region to improve connectivity is also projected to boost the number of tourists. Furthermore, Colombia is one of the world’s top coffee producers, and this event is likely to improve the country’s position in the regional market as there is a growing demand for coffee supply in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Expo 2020 is the most ideal platform for Colombia to further raise its foreign direct investments through its portfolio of opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, technology, agribusiness, energy, and creative ventures, among others.

Colombia celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 today (5 November) with a vivid cultural performance, an audio-visual takeover at Al Wasl dome showcasing its rich biodiversity, and a visit from HE Iván Duque Márquez, President of the Republic of Colombia.

The festivities began with a flag-raising ceremony in the afternoon at Al Wasl Plaza, with HE Iván Duque Márquez and a high-level Colombian delegation that included José Manuel Restrepo, Minister of Finance and Public Credit, and Flavia Santoro, President of ProColombia, welcomed by His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

President Márquez said: “The most important aspect about our visit to Dubai is that Colombia feels proud about this Expo. Colombia was one of the first countries to support the Expo in Dubai, and we see this as a milestone event which will help with our country’s economic rebirth and growth. We come here with the idea of expanding trade and we definitely want more relationships to be built in this pavilion; more Colombian entrepreneurs working with entrepreneurs from around the world.

“We also want to see more people getting to know more about our country, which is not only a welcoming country, but a country that has prioritised clean energy, and new technologies with the idea of achieving higher growth and better social interaction.

“I am very optimistic that throughout the cycle of this Expo, we will see opportunities to duplicate the trade we have built between the UAE and Colombia, and to take our relations to a new level.”

President Márquez added that he was excited to be signing a memorandum of understanding that would enhance trade between the two nations by bringing in more investors from the UAE to Colombia to identify new sectors.

HE Sheikh Nahayan said: “The UAE prides itself on being a regional champion of innovation and, given that Colombia is an innovation hub in Latin America with a novel approach to development based on a creative economy, we look forward to working closely with Colombia in various fields of common interest, such as trade, tourism, development, and the support of small and medium-sized enterprises.

“We are proud to say that trade between our countries has grown by 21 per cent over the last four years, and are confident that, through Colombia’s presence at Expo 2020 and beyond, our relationship will continue to flourish.”

Cultural activities followed the speeches, the highlight of which was Ensálsate, the famous Colombian salsa and music show that has toured the world. With 14 artists on stage and more than 100 costume changes, the performance featured cha cha cha, pachanga, boogaloo, mambo and other dance moves, in addition to salsa.

Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal winner of the 2019 Tour de France and the 2021 Giro d’Italia, visited the Colombia Pavilion on the country’s National Day, praising his country’s warmth and friendliness, and inviting the rest of the world to visit his homeland.
Egan Bernal said: “I’m really proud to be here and to have our pavilion in this big Expo.”

As darkness fell, Expo 2020 visitors gathered in Al Wasl Plaza for spectacular audio-visual experience ‘Colombia, Country of Birds’, which conveyed the country’s biodiversity, songs and cultural richness, with animation and video accompanied by Amazonian shamanic chants. Celebrations then shifted to the Colombia Pavilion, where singer Yeison Landeros performed his interpretation of traditional Colombian music, mixing conventional vallenato and cumbia sounds with contemporary elements.

Under the theme ‘Colombia, The Rhythm that Connects the Future’, the Colombia Pavilion immerses visitors in the country’s culture, innovation and urban growth. Its airy, free-ranging design represents Colombia itself – open and unbounded – with four light-filled floors, interactive instruments, a giant digital jukebox and holographic light shows.

On 8 November, Colombia will host an all-day Business Matchmaking Forum at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai, an initiative of ProColombia and part of a national strategy to take advantage of Free Trade Agreements, diversify markets and promote the exportable offer of Colombian companies.

Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 invites visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.

You’re used to representing Colombia in cycling. Today you’re representing it at Expo alongside the President. What does that mean to you, to be here today?

Actually, it’s really nice to be here, to see the pavilion. I’m really proud to be here, and to have our pavilion in this big Expo. It’s really great, seeing Colombia as part of it.

You arrived on a very busy day – Colombia National Day. What side of Columbia do you hope people see today, and what do you hope they learn about the country?

What we want to show is that we are really friendly, and warm, and everybody is welcome to visit us, and they will find a great reception when they do.

Something people may not realise is that Colombia is very passionate about cycling. Why do you think that is?

I think right now, cycling is maybe the second most popular sport in Colombia. A lot of people there are used to moving around by bicycle, and I think when they look at us, at sports people, they think maybe it can be good for them too.

With cycling being so popular, and then your success on top, and your wins at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, what has the reception at home been like?

It’s been great. A lot of people look up to me, and they want to be like me, or like the others, so we really need to keep pushing ourselves, but it’s definitely something good for the country.

A lot of Colombians might want to follow in your footsteps. What advice would you give them?

They need to believe in themselves, to keep pushing, but also enjoy it. That’s really key in sport and in life.

And you’re racing tomorrow, here in the Middle East. Are you excited about that?

I’m looking forward to enjoying the race tomorrow, for sure. It’s always good to win, but I think tomorrow should be about sharing the experience with others.

You don’t think it’ll be too hot?
Hopefully not.

Colombia, the world’s most biodiverse country per square kilometre, celebrated its National Day today (Friday, November 5, 2021) at the Expo 2020 Dubai, in the presence of His Excellency Iván Duque Márquez, President of the Republic of Colombia and His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Several high-ranking officials from Colombia such as José Manuel Restrepo, Finance Minister of Colombia; and Flavia Santoro, President of ProColombia; in addition to Ximena Lobmana, Minister of Commerce Industry and Tourism, and the Minister of Transportation, Minister of Health, and the Minister of Environment and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and several dignitaries from Colombia and the UAE have joined the celebrations and attended the flag hoisting ceremony at the Al Wasl Plaza.

Colombia welcomed Expo 2020 visitors at the venue with a spectacular projection, showcasing the country’s rich biodiversity called “Colombia Country of birds” produced by Santiago Caicedo from Timbo Studio and the sound production designed by Carlos E. Garcia and Blond Indian Films. A visual presentation of Colombian birds accompanied by Amazonian shamanic chants in honour of the National Day enchanted visitors while several other cultural events, such as Ensalsate, a performance that integrated Colombian folklore and rhythms, Vallenato rhythm performed by noted vocalist Jeison Landeros also reflected Colombia’s creative and vibrant spirit.

With the theme ‘The rhythm that connects the future’, the Colombia Pavilion represents the nation’s diverse culture, creativity, passion for innovation, and prospects for a sustainable future in a 2,000 square-meter four-story structure. True to one of the sub-themes of the Expo 2020, ‘Opportunity’, the pavilion takes the visitors to an immersive virtual tour from multiple perspectives through its open and transparent building.

The pavilion’s design provides a unique experience to the visitors as they take an interactive journey through the picturesque Colombian landscape, enjoying the beats of Caribbean music and folklore. Besides enjoying the interactive virtual tour, the visitors can also savor authentic Colombian coffee, cacao, and taste other exotic fruits.

Colombia, known as the gateway to South America is considered a strategic location in the Latin American business market. Leveraging these features as a competitive advantage, Colombia is well-positioned to discuss innovative business partnerships and discover more opportunities for strong trade and investments on the global platform provided by Expo 2020.

In the economic sphere, Expo 2020 Dubai has been identified as one of the strategic pillars for the economic reactivation of Colombia. With its presence at the universal exposition, the country seeks to take advantage of the event as a great platform to offer products, investment opportunities and tourism from the Menasa region, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

“We accompany the start of the exhibition, a unique experience that favors the realization of business and investment in our country” said Minister Restrepo after his arrival in Dubai.

As part of his agenda in the UAE, Minister Restrepo will meet with representatives of UAE government entities and businessmen interested in business opportunities with Colombia, as part of the strategy to take advantage of free trade agreements, diversify markets and promote exports of Colombian companies.

On November 2, Minister José Manuel Restrepo participated as a panelist in the ‘Investment Climate’ conference at the mining sector business forum held by the National Mining Agency (COL) at the Colombian Pavilion.

During his lecture on the current state of the Colombian economy the minister said “Colombia is already on the path to reactivation and this is evident with the increase in growth forecasts for 2021 and with the recovery of close to 90% of the jobs lost during the pandemic. Colombia is ready for business, investment and the future”.

Likewise, the minister highlighted that Colombia is one of the countries with the best economic indicators in Latin America, following the impact of the pandemic. “We offer extraordinary investment opportunities for the coming years,” he said.

With his visit, Minister José Manuel Restrepo ratified the value for Colombia of its relationship with the United Arab Emirates and Expo 2020 as a platform for global development aligned with the objectives of internationalization and opening of new markets led by the Government of Colombia.

Representatives of the mining sector, companies and Colombian leading officials are set to discuss the potentials and opportunities to invest in the country’s mineral resources in a series of upcoming conferences within the framework themed ‘Colombia Beyond El Dorado Mining Leyend’. The events, which will take place at the Colombia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, seek to explore the progress made in the mining sector and how new sustainability and innovation trends promote the use of natural resources such as metals and other minerals.

José Manuel Restrepo, Minister of Finance of Colombia, and Juan Miguel Duran, President of the Nation Mining Agency, will be among the leading speakers during the conference. They will discuss the current investment climate in Colombia and the favorable market conditions for foreign direct investments.

President Duran’s conference will shed light on the country’s ideal geological location as a rich source of minerals, as well as the current regulations in the mining sector which help ensure the sustainable management of natural resources to lessen environmental impact.

Juan Miguel Duran, President of the Nation Mining Agency, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai has opened the gates to new conversations on technology, innovation and sustainable development. Colombia’s presence at the world’s fair paves the way to present to the world our potential in the areas of mining, agriculture, technology, and renewable resources. We believe it is the right time to discuss the sustainability and progress of the mining industry at the global level through this conference.”

Duran “With Colombia’s low FDI barriers, we are confident that we have the competitive advantage to add new growth opportunities for businesses in the UAE, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. We are keen to present the various sectors in which Colombia has been performing very well, such as business process outsourcing, agribusiness, renewable energy and digital technology. Investors will see how they can investors can leverage Colombia’s position in Latin America to expand their growth.”

Finally, Duran stated that it is necessary to generate innovative strategies to increase mining sector’s competitiveness, while generating benefits for the government, employment and companies.

Located at Opportunity District, Colombia’s Pavilion has been among the favorite sites by visitors keen to explore the country’s rich and diverse culture, scenic landscapes, vibrant beats of its music, and experience its flavourful Colombian coffee.

Al ritmo de Zumba la colombiana Angélica Moreno se convirtió en la visitante número 50.000 del pabellón de Colombia en la Expo

Angélica recibió, de la mano del Comisario General del pabellón, Juan Pablo Cavelier, un sombrero Vueltiao y una banda con la bandera de Colombia, entre otros detalles representativos de la cultura colombiana.

El pabellón que se encuentra abierto al público desde el primero de octubre ya alcanzó una primera cifra importante en el número de visitantes. Se espera que, al finalizar la Expo, en marzo del 2022, más de un millón de personas hayan conocido el pabellón del “País más acogedor del mundo”