SOCIETY 371 / 2017

DIPLOMATIE
KOLUMBIEN
rural territories, especially for agricultural projects,
as a result of the signing of a Peace Agreement
with the FARC armed group.
The visit of former Austrian President Dr.
Heinz Fischer was nearly one year ago. Are there
already results / projects of the delegation?
During the State Visit of former Austrian
President Dr. Heinz Fischer, we arranged a very
successful networking forum for Colombian and
Austrian entrepreneurs. Also, Colombia signed
the Trade Agreement with the EU, which gives us
new chances and opportunities. However, three
European countries still have to ratify the agreement
(Austria, Greece and Belgium). The question
is, who is going to take more advantage of the
trade agreement, because the Austrian companies
are waiting for the ratification.
There are many opportunities for export and
investments with special conditions because, after
the ratification, Colombia wants to offer Austria
a special project to eliminate double taxation
making Austria the main benefactor of this
agreement.
What are the main projects in the economic
bilateral relations between Colombia and Austria?
In the next 20 years, Colombia is going to invest
one billion Euros in the improvement of its
infrastructure, making it a sector with big potential.
For instance, bridges, expressways, ports and
the like will be built.
In regards to specific Austrian companies,
there are already several investments planned.
For example, the company “Strabag” wants to
increase its investment in infrastructure, “Doppelmayr”
already invested in two Colombian
projects in the last two years and is planning to
invest even more.
What is the trade balance between Austria
and Colombia?
With the information from 2015, the trade
balance is about 200 million Euros. More or less
75 percent are exports from Austria to Colombia
and about 25 percent are exports from Colombia
to Austria. The main products exported from
»We are currently
the leader in
the economic
sector of Latin
America.
«
Jaime
Alberto
Cabal
Sanclemente
CURRICULUM
VITAE
H.E. Jaime Alberto Cabal
Sanclemente studied Industrial
Engineering at the
Javeriana University in Bogota
and made his Master
in Economy at the American
University in Washington
D.C.. 1999-2000 he
was Minister of Economic
Development (Tourist, Industry
and Commerce) as
well as Minister-Delegate
for Labor, Agriculture and
Foreign Trade. From 2001
- 2002 he was President
of the company Danaranjo
S.A.. 2002 - 2011 he was
President of the Hotel and
Tourism Association of
Colombia (COTELCO).
2011 - 2014 he was Ambassador
of Colombia to
Korea and non-resident
Ambassador to the
Philippines and Mongolia.
Since 2014 he is Ambassador
of Colombia to Austria
and non-resident Ambassador
to Croatia, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Hungary, Czech
Republic, Serbia and
Montenegro and Permanent
Representative to the
United Nations Office and
other International Organizations
based in Vienna.
Ambassador H.E-
Jaime Alberto Cabal
Sanclemente speaking
to Gerti Tauchhammer
Colombia to Austria are coffee, exotic fruits, garments
and also raw materials for the Austrian
industry, with an increasing number of products
that we would like to export in the near future
like chemical products and leather. The main
products that are imported by Colombia from
Austria are machinery, chemical products, textiles
and cars, as well as technology in optical and
medical sectors.
At least 50 percent of the energy in Colombia
is produced by hydraulic power. In fact, it is produced
with the use of Austrian Turbines, from
the company “Andritz Turbines”. Furthermore,
many Austrian companies are represented in our
country. For example: “Red Bull”, “Swarovski”
and “Haas”, as well as “Voest Alpine” and “Novomatic”
just to name a few.
Since 1964, more than 220.000 people died
in the inner Colombian conflicts. It is outstanding
that President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon
achieved a Peace Agreement with the FARC
armed group. Now there are peace talks with
the ELN armed group. What are your thoughts
regarding these political circumstances?
Actually this question enables me to explain
that the biggest challenge for the Government
of Colombia was the signing of this peace agreement.
In the past, former presidents attempted
to negotiate with the FARC armed group. This
process opened a path for President Santos, who
was convinced that this conflict could come to an
end, and never lost faith in the positive result. Finally,
he was successful.
Currently, our country is changing. The economy
is growing and welfare is improving. Before
President Santos ends his term, he has begun negotiations
with the ELN armed group as well. Our
most important aim is to have long lasting peace.
Before coming to Vienna, you have already
been Minister of Economic Development in Colombia,
Ambassador of Colombia to the Republic
of Korea and non-resident Ambassador to the
Philippines and Mongolia. How have your experiences
been so far?
For two years, in 1999 and 2000 I worked as
Minister in Colombia, which I enjoyed very much
because if you really want to be of service to your
country this position is ideal. Being Minister, I
was able to implement various projects on tourism,
small and medium sized enterprises and different
laws to strengthen the industry and trade
in Colombia.
I also spent three years as Ambassador to Korea.
As you know, Colombia was the only Spanish
speaking country that helped the South Korean
Republic during the war. So we have good
relations and also a good business exchange. I am
very glad for having the opportunity to experience
different cultures and different people. Living
in different countries is very special and I am
very thankful.
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SOCIETY 1_2017 | 31