This Web page has been archived on the Web

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.

Minister Ablonczy Announces Canada’s Achievement of Pacific Alliance Observer Status

November 15, 2012 - Bogotá, Colombia - The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), delivers a keynote address to the 3rd Diálogo Canada-Colombia, the annual signature event for the Colombia-Canada Chamber of Commerce. More than 100 key Colombian business leaders took part in the event, which seeks to build on the strength of the bilateral relationship between Canada and Colombia.

Minister Ablonczy announced that Canada has become an observer to the Pacific Alliance—a grouping of four of Latin America’s fastest-growing economies, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru—thus opening new markets for Canadians here at home.

The Minister also highlighted the benefits of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which has been in force since August 2011, and the important steps made in the Canada-Colombia trading relationship in the year since the agreement came into force. She mentioned that over 80 Canadian companies have a permanent presence in Colombia, and that Canada is the number-one source of foreign investment in Colombia’s oil and gas industry, and in precious metals exploration.

Minister Ablonczy is leading a trade mission of 18 Canadian companies and organizations to Peru, Colombia and Panama.

For more information, please visit Trade Mission to Latin America and view the video Minister Ablonczy Announces that Canada Achieves Pacific Alliance Observer Status.

Download this photo.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Joshua Zanin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)
613-944-2300

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
Follow us on Twitter: @Canada_Trade