Contents 04
2007-2013 - A Fruitful Period in Bilateral Relations
06
Farewell to Ambassador Juan Alfredo Pinto Saavedra A Successful and Eventful Journey (2007 – 2013)
10
India Colombia Relations - New Paradigm in Cooperation
14
Colombia-India Relations: Agreements Enhancing Ties
17
Why Should You Invest in Colombia
19
DTAA to Boost Investment Projects in Colombia and New Delhi
21
Ambassador Juan Alfredo Pinto’s Speech on GRULAC’s dinner with Mr. Scindia, Minister of State of Commerce and Industry of India on 13th April 2011
23 24 26 28
MoU on Science and Technology between Colombia and India Colombian Cinema, a Step by Step Success Story A New Centre of Research on India in Colombia - CESICAM Destination Colombia
32
Cultural Diplomacy
35
Colombia Introduces Salsa in India
37
Amazing Amazon
Published by Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine in association with The Embassy of Colombia in India Editor-In-Chief: Maheswaran Gnanaprakasam (mahesh24.creative@gmail.com) Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine S-442, Shakarpur School Block, New Delhi - 110092 India Tel. No. 011-32316194 Email : editor@diplomacyandforeignaffairs.com Disclaimer The opinions/ comments from writers are their own and Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs magazine does not endorse the claims made therein.
Here, we have democracy;
"
here we enjoy peace among nations; here we are growing; We have no irreconcilable rivalries or irrational extremisms among us. This is the foundation for our unity and our potential.
"
Juan Manuel Santos
President of Colombia America's Summit
Colombia Special
2007-2013 A Fruitful Period in Bilateral Relations A different profile of this multifaceted diplomat, writer, businessman and politician, an expert on Asia , passionate about India, with a strong commitment to the future of Latin America and South Asia. Maheswaran Gnanaprakasam, EditorIn-Chief, Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine Interviews the Ambassador
Y
ou have had a long association with India. How do you see the relations between India and Colombia in the long term? I started my relationship with India in 1979. Since that time began this learning will never end and has been a fascinating experience which I consolidated during these six years as ambassador of my country in India and five countries of South Asia. Our outcome is excellent in trade, investment, cooperation and cultural exchange. The total trade between Colombia and India rose to $2.5 billion in 2012 from $340 million in 2007.
4
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
And this year will reach three billion dollars. During last six years, Indian direct Investment in Colombia grew nine times. The number of Indian companies operating in Colombia has increased from 4 to 37. To maintain the process in the right way, is necessary to qualify Indian investments in Colombia, giving priority to businesses that enable the two countries to be part of global chains of value added.
M
any people talk about your management in economic but also of your effort to enter the Colombian culture in India. Which has been the strategy for amalgamating trade, investment, politics and culture? Simple. Focused in economics, structuring a set of institutional arrangements to ensure sustainability, and working hard in soft diplomacy and promoting our culture as the great backing to get visibility to Colombia and stimulate the friendship between our peoples. The road travelled by Colombian culture in India is filled with moments of great significance. We have introduced Salsa music in this region while our musicians play regularly in hotels of metro cities. At the same time, Colombians listen and dance to Bollywood music. Our literature is known, particularly authors such as Garcia Marquez and Alvaro Mutis. The young Indian poet Sudeep Sen was the winner of Jorge Zalamea Award that we created, and I feel satisfied as my books have been translated and published by Sahitya Akademi. We won The Goa Film Festival and last month, we were distinguished as the best exhibition stand of cinema production fair in Mumbai . Our leaders in this sector reached agreements for co-production to filming movies in beautiful places in Colombia.
life in the neighborhoods of the poor, where people live without masks, I love also the air, the colors, the calm of the mountains of the tropics.
Y
our farewell event is quite different. You launch your new novel, your wife launches her book on India and Latin America, and Sahitya Akademi presents your stories in Hindi….. we are leaving India with huge nostalgia but also full of satisfactions.
Y
ou like to use the expression phir milenge…so when will see you again in Delhi? As my wife Soraya has created the first Centre of Research on India in Latin America at the University Externado de Colombia, I think we occasionally will visit India, otherwise our spirit would die of thirst.
W
hich sectors you would recommend for investment promotion and increase trade operations? Renewable energy, infrastructure, biotechnology, mining, agriculture products, geological services, film production, bilingualism e-learning technologies.
C
olombia has signed multiple agreements with India, could you mention the most important? Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection BIPPA, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement DTAA, Science and Technology, the Cultural Programe and 8 MOUs with government in different fields. But also 14 MOUs between business associations and 9 collaboration arrangements between Universities in both countries. It is a big platform to the integration.
C
ould we move in this interview to Juan Alfredo Pinto, the man, not only the successful diplomat. For example, can we talk about your predilections, your passions…. Politics, literature, music and dance, inclusive business, special trips and India as a nation.
W
hy do you visit often Chandni Chowk , Pahar Ganj, Nizamuddin? I like to share with the simple people, I love the intensity of
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
5
Colombia Special
Farewell to Ambassador
Juan Alfredo Pinto Saavedra
A Successful and Eventful Journey (2007 – 2013) 6
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
A
mbassador Juan Alfredo Pinto joined the mission of Colombia to India in 2007. At that time, the institutional goals set by the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the strategy of deepening relations with Asia were to develop: a mature and convergent political relationship, a strong and growing economic integration, and creative and fruitful cultural collaborative exchanges. The strategy was implemented through a strategic planning exercise with annual assessment cycle focusing on economic, institutional integration, supported in a long range instruments and backed by a strong policy of integration and cultural exchange within the required framework, all within an innovative style that was called Managerial Diplomacy . In order to fulfill the collaborative demands between the two countries,, H.E. Dr. Juan Alfredo Pinto signed treaties of Science and Technology, Promotion and Protection of Investments and Elimination of Double Taxation. The MoUs were signed at sector level in mining, oil and gas, health, defence, IT, promotion of bamboo cultivation, transportation and judicial information. Recently, negotiation for agreements in education, sports and tourism has also been made. Ambassador also signed a threeyear programme of cultural cooperation and completed the negotiations for the programme of cooperation in science and technology.
Major Achievements in Strengthening IndiaColombia Relations On the trade front, the results are significant. Total trade came to be 2.5 billion in 2012 with a positive trade balance for Colombia that is just over 300 million whereas the cumulative investment exceeds seven hundred million dollars for a total of 37 Indian companies in Colombia. Also, the Colombian Culture was showcased in India in form of literature, visual arts, films, theatre and photography. In India, the Colombian mission created the very first literary prize in the name of Jorge Zalamea, published anthologies of short stories and poetry, and did many literary and film festivals across India. As a matter of fact, a Colombian film won the award for being the best
As a matter of fact, a Colombian film won the award for being the best film at the famous film festival in Goa. To add to this, National Academy of Arts of India, Sahitya Akademi honored Ambassador Pinto for being the first Latin American writer who translated and published in English and Hindi
Mr. P. R. Agarwala, Honorary Consul of Colombia in Kolkata
film at the famous film festival in Goa. To add to this, National Academy of Arts of India, Sahitya Akademi honored Ambassador Pinto for being the first Latin American writer who translated and published in English and Hindi. The institutional relations in the non- government sector were diverse and vigorous during his tenure. Currently, Colombia India Chamber of Commerce is operational; the Tequendama Group composed of prominent Indian leaders and the Association of Friends of India are supporting the relationship between the two countries. CESICAM is the first centre of studies on contemporary India and South Asia. In the Externado University of Colombia, work has begun under the direction of Ambassador’s wife Soraya Caro. She was the first Colombian woman to earn a PhD in India and the first University foreign doctor in the
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
7
Colombia Special
world’s largest University that is Indira Gandhi National Open University. At present, IGNOU has 3 million and two hundred thousand students. India and Colombia have signed twelve MoUs between business associations and eight agreements between the universities in the two countries.
Representation of Colombia in South Asia Ambassador Pinto represented Colombia in South Asia, the most populousand perhaps the most promising region in the world. He has been the concurrent Ambassador in Indonesia. In Iran, the mission headed by Ambassador Pinto fulfilled the task of maintaining consular relations and provided support to Colombian citizens. As the Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, he started building economic and cultural relations, and work on issues of post-conflict disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration. He was honoured to promote the opening of relations with the Kingdom of Bhutan and the revival of relations with the Maldives. The Colombian mission collaborated in reviving relations with Myanmar and ASEAN approach where he represented Colombia to one fifth of the population of the World. Along with that he received the honour from the Colombian Authorities. He always characterises himself by simplicity and humbleness.
A synopsis of visit of IT and Telecommunications Minister Diego Molano in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore During his official visit to India from August 19 - 26, Minister Molano met important ministers and top executives of various companies in India. In his agenda, he met the Minister of Communications and Information Technology; and Law and Justice - Kapil Sibal and Minister Molano. It was agreed to organise a business delegation to go to Colombia to explore the different opportunities that can deliver the country to cover the entire Latin American market. Apart from that, he met most corporates in the framework of ICT, he met key and top officials of Wipro, GENPACT, Wipro BPO, TCS, Tata Group, Hinduja Group and Infosys. The Minister Molano also had a meeting with NASSCOM’s president - Som Mittal to discuss future plan of action. He also encouraged some non ICT companies including Indian Angel Networks and Sterlite group which have shown interest of expansion or investment in Colombia .
Swing Latino - a Cultural Evening on National Day Celebrations As a part of plan of promotion of Colombia, Embassy of
IT and Telecommunications Minister Diego Molano along with Sam Pitroda of Planning COmmission of India
8
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
Vicky Fadul with boys students during the Painted House
Colombia in association with ICCR, organized a concert by Swing Latino in Kamani Auditorium on August 20th, 2013 and in the following week, organized a workshop for various Salsa training schools in an elite club in New Delhi. The response was huge. Over 1,000 people attended the concert and over 200 people attended the workshop. The concert witnessed Director of ICCR, ambassadors and diplomats, students of Salsa schools in Delhi, professionals from various fields of business and MNCs and Colombian community. Founded in the late 1990s by its current director, dancer and choreographer, Luis Eduardo Hernandez, also known as “El Mulato”, ‘Swing Latino’ is the most dazzling Salsa dancing school in the world and the image of the authentic “Caleno” dance style. During this show, they over passed their reputation and left audience mesmerized with their fast foot movements and dips and lifts which amazed to such an extent that they received standing.
way to bring freshness and newness with the help of colours
Embassy of Colombia brought Project “The Painted House” by Vicky Fadul – a unique event for social responsibility and culture
70 houses got painted with creative designs and beautiful and
From September 7th to 15th, 2013, the Embassy of Colombia organized one of the most innovative project in the fields of culture and social responsibility – “La Casa Pintada”, a project of the Colombian artist Vicky Fadul. “La Casa Pintada” is a unique
and by using creativity embedded within oneself especially in communities with very less financial resources. It was the part of Plan of Promotion of Colombia. The experience had been successfully implemented in several regions of Colombia and also outside Colombia in United Kingdom and Indonesia. The project in India had the sponsorship of Asian Paints, who provided the paints and tools. The artist developed this project in a slum area supported by Family Health and Education (NGO), Muskaan in Delhi from September 7th to 15th, 2013. On 7th and 8th September, the workshop was conducted in Hauz Khas Village from 11 am to 5 pm and on the following days the participants painted the walls of houses at the premises from 2 pm onwards till 15th September in the most artistic and creative way. In response to the project, almost all residents of the community participated and the result was that around vibrant colors. On the closing day, certificates were distributed to all participants of workshop and the Ambassador Juan Alfredo Pinto was accompanied by people from a Colombian tribe who were staying in India. The overall workshop was a success as they created a historic wall with flags of India and Colombia with a tag India – Colombia Friendship.
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
9
Colombia Special
Political Relations The political relations between India and Colombia stand on a base of trustworthy exchanges and mutual support. India and Colombia have friendly and cordial bilateral relations. Continuous bilateral visits and signing of various agreements have boosted to the friendship between both the nations. Colombia is an important member of the NAM and G-15 and hosted NAM Summit in 1995. Both countries have considerable coincidence of views on global issues and have closely collaborated in various multilateral fora. Colombia recieved Indian support for its proposal of Sustaibable Developement Goals and both countries worked very well during Colombian Presidential period in UNSC. Colombia supported Indian candidatures to the non-permanent membership of the UNSC for 2011-12 as also to the UN Human Rights Council in 2007 and the International Court of Justice in 2012. India donated $1 million to Colombia in the wake of country-wide floods and damage to infrastructure in 2010.
Commercial and Economic Relations In the recent years, Colombia has become one of the main destinations for India’s exports in Latin America. India-Colombia business organisations have been interacting on regular basis and a number of business delegations mainly from India from export promotions councils such as CII, EEPC, EPCH, Texprocil, SRPTC, Chemexil, Plexconcil, Spice Board of India, Electronic and Software Council, Capexil and AEPC have visited Colombia. Colombian delegations from ANDI, ACOLFA, CECODES, ISA, FEDESOFT, SENA, INDOMIL, CODENSA, CINSET, COPIME have visited most important cities in India. Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) led a delegation of 151 Indian companies to participate in the Bogota International Fair in October 2010. Exim Bank of India has signed an agreement with Bancoldex of Colombia for extending a $10 million Line
India Colombia Relations
a New Paradigm in Cooperation Colombia and India together form an exemplary amalgamation of mutual trust and support in the field of political exchanges and investments. Both the partners are paving a way towards long-lasting and beneficial cooperation in various domains. 10
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
Exim Bank of India has signed an agreement with Bancoldex of Colombia for extending a $10 million Line of Credit for exports from India; ColombiaIndia Chamber of Commerce was formed in Bogota in September 2008 by Indian and Colombian firms to take up issues of bilateral business interest with the support of Embassy
of Credit for exports from India; Colombia-India Chamber of Commerce was formed in Bogota in September 2008 by Indian and Colombian firms to take up issues of bilateral business interest with the support of Embassy. They took a trade delegation to India in November 2012.
The honorary consul of Colombia in Mumbai, Mr. Pradip Madhavji
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
11
Colombia Special
Indian Investment in Colombia Many Indian Companies have established operations in Colombia. Four of them in IT, two in Pharmaceuticals, one in AgroChemicals, three in automobiles, three in computer education and three in mining. ONGC Videsh acquired 50% of Omimex Colombia in a joint venture with the Chinese company, Sinopec. OVL’s investment in Mansarovar Colombia increased from $425 million in 2006 to about US $ 600 million in 2009. Reliance Industries Ltd. has signed a 6 phase contract for exploration of oil in the Pacific coast for an estimated US $ 50 million. Several brands of motorcycles manufactured in India such as Bajaj, TVS and Hero Honda, are being assembled in Colombia. Praj Industries has obtained contracts worth $ 35 million for the construction of five ethanol factories in Colombia. Technology training companies such as APTECH, NIIT and TATA Infotech have collaborated with Colombian universities and educational institutes and private businessmen to establish about 20 IT education centers. Pharma Company IPCA, is actively working in Colombia. Evo Colombia is a branch of chemical group United Phosphorous. JSW Steel and Ispat have entered in Met coal mining. During the last two years new Indian investors have arrived to Colombia, for example, Hinduja Group in BPO and Lubricants with Gulf Corporation.
Bilateral Trade India-Colombia It may be seen from the Trade statistics given below that bilateral trade between India and Colombia has registered a significant increase during the last three years. Bilateral trade has increased from $946.95 million in 2009 to $2486.82 million in 2012 reflecting an increase of over 150%. Exports from India to Colombia increased from $503.82 million to $ 1123.80. Similarly, imports from Colombia increased from $449.13 million to $1363.02. The increase in bilateral trade during the last year, therefore establishes that there is a considerable potential for further expansion in the coming years.
Other Important Economic Developments ONGC Videsh/Mansarover Energy Colombia Ltd: Mansarovar Energy Colombia Limited (MECL) an ONGC-Videsh and SIPC, China Joint Venture Company has emerged as one of the key players of heavy crude oil in Colombia, and a pioneer of technology in the country. MECL is dedicated to the exploration and production of heavy crude oil in the Colombian “Middle Magdalena” region, where it has the Nare Association Contract with Ecopetrol since September 2006 and is carrying out private operations in the Velasquez field and the Velasquez – Galan Pipeline. MECL started with heavy oil production of about 15,000 bopd in 2007, which is currently at the level of 36,000 bopd. In 2011, about 200 oil wells were drilled with an increase in average oil production by 15-20% over the previous year.
Technical Assistance and Programmes The number of ITEC slots for Colombia increased from 25 to 35 in 2009-10 and to 45 from 2010-11 and 2011-12. Other assistance under ITEC program includes donation of a $200,000
12
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
Many Indian Companies have established operations in Colombia. Four of them in IT, two in Pharmaceuticals, one in AgroChemicals, three in automobiles, three in computer education and three in mining. ONGC Videsh acquired 50% of Omimex Colombia in a joint venture with the Chinese company, Sinopec
IADB - GDN Conference - Luis Alberto Moreno as chief guest
solar energy plant to Colombia in December 2002 and deputation of two Indian IT experts from May to July 2002 to advise the local government on IT related policy issues. Colombia received Indian support for its proposal of Sustainable Development Goals and both countries worked very well during Colombian Presidential period in UNSC.
Recent Stories India and Colombia have a Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) which came into effect in June 2012. In January 2013, ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), discovered oil on an on land block, CPO-5, in Colombia. OVL holds 70 per cent participating interest in the block located at the Ilanos
basin of Colombia. The project was under phase-1 of exploration, with a commitment of drilling two exploratory wells. During the last year Colombia opened honorary consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Dhaka and Kathmandu.
Sources: http://mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/INDIA_COLOMBIA_ RELATIONS.pdf http://www.pulsamerica.co.uk/2013/03/20/economy-india-and-colombiacreate-model-for-asia-latin-america-trade/ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ties-with-latin-america-to-deepenfurther/1067237/ http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-02-11/ news/37039182_1_dtaa-india-and-colombia-double-taxation-avoidanceagreement
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
13
Colombia Special
Colombia-India Relations
Agreements Enhancing Ties
E
xchange of visits and Ministerial Agreements foster the bonds between two countries. Colombia and India have been following the tradition of signing MoUs since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in February 1973. Here is an overview of the bilateral visits and agreements between the two entities. These initiatives provide versatility to the existing multilateral-ship and help to boost the relations so that the two nations can step ahead together in order to pave a way forward. Also, exchanges at the global level are always a sign of fruitful cooperation.
Important Bilateral Visits from India to Colombia The following high level visits have taken place from India to Colombia: 1. Visit of Late Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi to Colombia in 1968
14
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
2. Parliamentary delegations led by Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Balram Jakhar, in 1985 and led by by Shri Rabi Ray, Lok Sabha Speaker, in 1990 3. Visit of Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Hari Kishore Singh in 1990 4. Late Prime Minister Shri Narasimha Rao visited Colombia in October 1995 to participate in the XIth NAM Summit 5. Late Shri Pramod Mahajan, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs visited Colombia in April 2002 6. Shri Omar Abdullah, MOS (EA) visited Colombia in February 2002 7. Shri Digvijay Singh, MOS (EA) visited Bogotรก in August 2002 8. Rao Inderjit Singh, MOS (EA) visited Colombia in September 2004
Signing of DTAA between India and Colombia at Ministry of Finance in New Delhi
9. Secretary (EAA), Mr. Shashank, visited Colombia in January 2003 to chair the bilateral FOC’s from our side 10. Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of State for Science & Technology and Ocean Development (Independent Charge) visited Colombia in June 2005. 11. A 5-member defence delegation led by Raksha Utpadan Rajya Mantri (RURM) Rao Inderjit Singh visited Colombia 12. Justice S.H. Kapadia, Judge, Supreme Court of India, visited Colombia to July 2006 13. Minister of State for Woman and Child Development (Independent charge), Ms. Renuka Chowdhury, visited Colombia in May 2007 14. Minister of Urban Development, Shri Jaipal Reddy visited Colombia in May 2007 to examine the metro-bus system of the country 15. The Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma, visited Colombia in June 2007 16. Ms. Ambika Soni, Minister of Culture & Tourism, visited Colombia in November 2007 17. The Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen M.L. Naidu, visited Colombia in February 2008 18. Shri Shashi Tharoor, MOS (ST) visited Colombia in January, 2009 19. Prof. Saugata Roy, MOS for Urban Development visited Bogota in Oct 2010 20. Shri Dinsha Patel, MOS for Mines visited Colombia in May 2011 21. Commerce Secretary visited Bogota in August/September
2011 accompanied by an EEPC Delegation 22. Shri Vivek Katju, Secretary (West) visited Bogota in July, 2011 23. Shri Sachin Pilot, MOS (C &IT) visited Bogota in April, 2012 24. An NDC delegation visited Colombia from May, 2012 25. Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia MOS (C&I) visited Bogota in June, 2012
Important Bilateral visits from Colombia to India: 1. The former FM of Colombia, Dr Rodrigo Pardo Garcia-Pena visited India in April 1997 for the NAM Ministerial Meeting 2. President Andres Pastrana Arango visited India in March 2001 for the first ever state visit from Colombia 3. Foreign Minister Ms. Carolina Barco Isakon visited India in February 2003 4. Vice Minister Mr. Camilo Reyes visited New Delhi in May 2004 5. The Colombian Defence Minister, Mr. Juan Manuel Santos, visited India in November 2007 6. The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Mr. Luis Guillermo Plata visited India in 2008 and 2009 7. Minister of Energy and Mines visited India in September 2008 8. General Fernando Soler Torre, Deputy Chief of Colombian Air Force attended the Aero India in February 2009. 9. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, Ambassador Clemencia Forero Ucros, visited India in April, 2009 10. Foreign Minister Mr. Jaime Bermudez accompanied by
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
15
Colombia Special
Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister visited India in November 2009 11. Vice President Mr. Francisco Santos visited India in April 2010 12. Vice Foreign Minister Ms. Monica Lanzetta visited India in November 2011 13. Vice Foreign Minister Ms. Patti Londono visited New Delhi in March 2012 14. Vice Minister of Entrepreneurial Development - Carlos De Hart during 2011 and 2012 15. Minister of ICT - Diego Milano visited India in September 2013 16. General Gustavo Matamoros Camacho CEO INDUMIL visited New Delhi in October 2013
• • • • • • •
MoU on Hydrocarbons 2008 MoU on Defence Cooperation, February 2009 Bilateral Investment Promotion & Protection Agreement (BIPPA), November 2009 MoU on Cooperation in the Bamboo sector, November 2009 Agreement for Cooperation in Health, January 2010 MOU on Business Development Cooperation, April 2010 MOU for Cooperation in the field of Geology and Mineral Reforms, May 2011 DTAA, May 2011 CEP for 2012-2016, March 2012 MOU for cooperation in the IT sector between The National Association of Industries of Colombia (ANDI) and NASSCOM, November 2009
Bilateral Treaties and Agreements:
Agreement under Consideration
• • • •
• MoU on Gainful Employment of dependent members of Diplomats • Extradition Agreement • Agriculture MoU • Tourism MoU • Civil Aviation MoU • Education MoU • S & T Programme
• • • • •
16
• • •
Trade Agreement 1970 Cultural Agreement 1974 MoU on Annual Foreign Office Consultations 1995 Agreement for non-requirement of Visas for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders 2001 Agreement for facilitation of Visas to Businessmen 2001 Agreement for Cooperation between Diplomatic Academies 2001 MoU on Cooperation in the field of IT 2002 MoU on Cooperation in Science & Technology 2005 MoU on Cooperation in Urban Development 2007
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
Source: http://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Colombia-India_ Bilateral-Jan_2013.pdf
Why Should You
Invest in Colombia Attractive Business Environment
An Active Economy on the World Market
•
•
• •
Strengthening of macroeconomic variables together with a dynamic economic performance. The gdp per capita has doubled over the last decade, up from us$ 5,826 in 2000 to us$ 10,350 in 2012. A dynamic domestic market with the 23rd largest population in the world and the 2nd largest spanish-speaking population. Colombia is the third most business-friendly country and the leading country in reforms in latin america according to the world bank’s doing business 2013 report.
•
•
Extensive trade relations exporting to 181 countries through more than 9,700 export companies. Strong international integration with eight free trade agreements in force, three signed agreements and five under negotiation giving the country preferential access to a market of more than 1.5 billion consumers. Thanks to the free trade agreements, colombia establishes itself as a solid export platform making the country a gateway for the world.
A Reliable Partner
Connected to the World
•
•
•
Colombia has an investment-grade rating from standard & poor’s, moody’s and fitch on its sovereign debt in 2011. Colombia has the second lowest perceived risk in the region measured by the behaviour of 5-year credit default swaps.
•
Technology infrastructure supported by five underwater cables and one national fibre-optic ring connecting 300 municipalities in the country. Easy access to global markets thanks to its privileged geographic location and developed logistics infrastructure.
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
17
Colombia Special
Skilled Labour •
Colombia is one of the countries with the largest annual increase in availability of human capital according to the 2012 imd workforce growth rate.
A Country Striving for Innovation •
Colombia is betting on innovation as a crosscutting component for the transformation of products and services that generate value-added and skilled employment. For this reason, the colombian government has included innovation as one of the driving forces in its 2010-2014 national development plan.
Competitive Legal Framework Government commitment to provide incentives for investment and stability for investors. •Extensive range of free trade zones with more than 100 authorized permanent and special permanent zones.
The government’s commitment to development •
18
Colombia has a national development plan that addresses the country’s primary needs; in addition, colombia currently designs and implements an action plan to achieve continuous growth and competitiveness.
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
Colombia is betting on innovation as a crosscutting component for the transformation of products and services that generate value-added and skilled employment. For this reason, the colombian government has included innovation as one of the driving forces in its 2010-2014 national development plan •
•
Within the development plan, the government is investing in the sectors of mines and energy - infrastructure - innovation - agribusiness - housing. The productive transformation programme (ptp) promotes the productivity and competitiveness of sectors with high export potential through a more efficient coordination between the public and private sectors.
DTAA to Boost
Investment Projects in Colombia and New Delhi
T
he signing ceremony on the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation between India and Colombia is signed in 2011 at the Ministry of External Affairs office in New Delhi. The negotiation process began in 2009, with a round of negotiations held in India’s capital. However, during the last change of government in India, the Ministry of Finance of the Asian nation decided to suspend the ongoing negotiations with the prospective of tax reform. It was how the process had to wait for months to recover its dynamics, and concluded only after an intense round of deliberations in the city of Bogota in mid 2010. The new administration of the President of Colombia Juan
Manuel Santos placed special attention to the development of texts and on suitability for the signing. Now, it will move for final procedures to the PM’s Cabinet, in the case of India and Congress of the Republic and the Constitutional Court in the case of Colombia. This agreement completes the construction of Colombia’s regulatory framework designed to promote investments from India, as the Bilateral Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments has already been signed in 2009. The Embassy of Colombia in New Delhi estimated that ten new Indian companies which will visit their country during the next 18 months will have benefits in future from conditions and facilities that treaties have created for their settlement in Colombia.
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
19
Colombia Special
This treaty is an important tool in trade relations between the two countries as it facilitates the exchange of services between India and Colombia, and strengthening the country’s trade position compared to other Latin American nations such as Mexico and Brazil, which has a similar treaty. To Colombia, it is a strategic treaty from the point of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the treaty will put the country on the list of attractive destinations for investors and the Indian entrepreneurs, who today are the second largest providers of investment among emerging nations after China. This is a strong reason for potential investors as it complements BIPPA, signed in 2008 and is expected to come into effect this year. To be more precise, this agreement will be benefiting companies that sell services in both directions. However, the industry sectors that will have a direct impact are software development, outsourcing services, and oil services, as these sectors have Indian companies in Colombia. In the future, we expect that the sectors of health services, infrastructure, audiovisual services and hotel will attract for the country potential investments because the country provides a legal platform and sturdy and attractive tax regime in the region: DTAA, BIPAA and VAT exemption for services exports. For Colombia, it will open a window for the export of education services in Spanish language, which will be focused to Indian youth interested in learning, as a second European language. Likewise, companies
20
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
To Colombia, it is a strategic treaty from the point of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the treaty will put the country on the list of attractive destinations for investors and the Indian entrepreneurs, who today are the second largest providers of investment among emerging nations after China in the sectors to develop services to BRT (Bus Rapid Transport in English or TransMilenio), and waste management sectors where state governments will be ready in the short term. It is a great day for the history of relations between India and Colombia, said the Colombian ambassador Juan Alfredo Pinto, a signatory for the Agreement. “If since 2008, we multiplied by four in the total traded trade between the two countries (USD 1.3 mn in 2010) and ten times in the volume of investments (USD 1 Bn accumulated until the previous year), we can predict that we will meet the target of government policy to deepen our relations reached in 2012, which is USD 2 bn of total trade and 35 Indian companies operating in our country.�
Ambassador Juan Alfredo Pinto’s
Speech on GRULAC’s dinner with Mr. Scindia,
Minister of State of Commerce and Industry of India on 13th April 2011
L
atin American and Caribbean countries constitute a region blessed by Gods with an abundant natural endowment of renewable and non-renewable resources. One quarter of the fresh water on earth is owned by this area which is also the most bio diverses in this planet. This part of the world is the leader in primates, amphibious and birds, reptiles and mammals. Its entomological base also gives it the first place in insects. Light, water, large and fertile lands and plains make Latin American and Caribbean countries an important producer of wood, sugar,
alcohol, cereals, fruits, grains, cocoa, coffees, tubers and animal protein. The subsoil is also rich in oil, gas, gold, silver, copper, platinum, emeralds, jade, coal, tin, iron. The Andes, one of the higher mountain ranges and its valleys turn countries in important producers of hydraulic energy. Our countries do not have religious conflicts, they practice democracy and our people are an outstanding historical example of mix of races. This feature is the foundation of extensive cultural expressions that feed all arts and makes our countries formidable touristic receptors.
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
21
Colombia Special
The richness of Latin America has been used along the centuries to facilitate the capital accumulation and industrial development of Europe and US. Mining activities in our continent gave the liquidity to the commercial development and shipping industry in Europe, strengthened the industrialization process in the north and created an unbalanced pattern of trade characterized by export of commodities and import of manufactured goods that took us to an economic relation based on value added industries outside our territories, where, additionally, was created the accumulation of human and social capital. Meanwhile, we muttered our less relative development, as a consequence of that pattern added to other factors as concentration of property, colonial and neocolonial interventions and disruptions to the democratic order. Times have changed and Latin American and Caribbean countries too. The major Latin American economies have achieved a significant productive structure. The opportunities for our people have increased in a remarkable way during the last decades. Our more internationalized economies have already arrived in the Asiatic markets in a competitive way. Democracy and multi-polarity are tendencies in the world. As we know “shifting wealth” is a big movement from the north to the East and the South determined by the emergent countries. For the first time there are signals of convergence through the worldwide economy. Latin America and Caribbean countries do not wish to repeat with emergent powers the historical cycle lived with Europe and US. We contribute, with natural resources and commodities, raw materials and consumables, to the accumulation process of emergent economies. Although, we will continue to strengthen those commercial flows, we cannot remain in the lowest scale of integration because it is not sustainable in the long run and because politically our relation could lose legitimacy. We are in the presence of a historical moment, to materialize a new integration south- south going beyond good intentions and overwhelming rhetoric speeches. The relation between India, Latin American and Caribbean Countries, can mark out new course of reciprocal benefits, enabling to enhance the human development of our continents, only if, with entire political will; we dare to boost the structuring of international value chains that have Indian companies acting as pivots in Latin America, by strengthening the bond between companies of both regions, increasing the investment, the technological development of our productive bases and the skills of our human capital. Possibilities to articulate our economies in sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemical and its derivatives, allowing the creation of value added among the regions is evident. It clearly appears that the perspective to integrate investment and productive chains in food industry considering that we have the raw materials and the markets and we only require the practical agreement in the sphere of food processing. It is possible also to articulate the international production of biocombustibles with a responsible ecological use of our cultivable
22
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
The relation between India, Latin American and Caribbean Countries, can mark out new course of reciprocal benefits, enabling to enhance the human development of our continents, only if, with entire political will; we dare to boost the structuring of international value chains that have Indian companies acting as pivots in Latin America areas as well as through a joint management in the generation of alternative energy. There are huge possibilities in the development of new pharmaceutical researches and investment in pharmacological projects of common interest. Our diversity in languages gives us significantly big opportunities. We have a great Anglophonic and Hispanic Caribbean region with a historical Indian presence in Trinidad and Tobago and in the north of South America. It is time to work on bilingualism programs but also we have to use and create facilities to take advantages of the Hispanic US market for BPO and KPO services, as well as the development of cultural industries, tourism and other areas in the third sector. The modern mining industry, that adds value to the process and doesn’t limit itself to the extraction of scarce and nonrenewable resources but define steps in the homogenization and standardization of products to ulterior uses. It’s a seam in our joint proposal, as well as the integration of jewelry and precious stones industries. This meeting with the GRULAC Ambassadors is a pertinent occasion to express to you, Hon Minister, our interest in a more extended and deeper integration. We have all great respect and affection for India. We admire its dynamism and we vote for a major participation of India in the future of the humanity. We respect the decisions that India takes to strengthen relations with different regions in the world. But, we declare that our region, is a low risk political zone, firmly democratic and with a prosperous business sectors and high economic potential. We are not a region with a historic or political fatigue. We do not have hegemonic pretensions neither we build rivalries. We are a continent of peace and freedom and in the name of those values we want to engage more and more with India, for that, we require a deeper commitment of India with LAC for our future integration.
MoU on Science and Technology between
Colombia and India
H
onourable Minister of Science and Technology of India Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Monica Lanzetta met over a high tea at the office of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. The agenda was to share and review the progress of activities going under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Colombia on Science and Technology, signed in 2005. The Vice Minister of Colombia and Minster from India shared their opinion on ongoing progress in terms of trade, science and technology and suggested ways to increase the cooperation and take this agreement to next level. Mrs. Lanzetta was happy to see and share the recent progress between Indian and Colombian bilateral ties and suggested that considering that India has huge young population, so there should be more exchange programs to be introduced for bachelor and engineering studies.
Mr. Deshmukh suggested that the recent progress with DTAA will impact and create the new areas of integration between two countries. This also leads to new regions of integration in field of science and technology. H.E. Juan Alfredo Pinto, Ambassador of Colombia also mentioned that as they are expecting the visit of President Juan Manuel Santos in first half of following year, the progress in new areas of cooperation in science, technology and many other bilateral issues will be speed up and we may reach new trade figures. During the meeting there were other dignitaries present, H.E. Mr. R. Warjiri, Ambassador of India to Colombia, who shared the fact about recent investment of Praj Industries in Colombia. This meeting was a great success and there will be news areas of integration to be seen in field of science and technology.
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
23
Colombia Special
Colombian Cinema, a Step by Step Success Story
Since the approval of ‘Law of Cinema’ in 2003, the Colombian Cinema has been showcasing its creativity and dignity at the global centre-stage, hence creating a praiseworthy international image of its own. Colombian Cinema has been well greeted by India for its newness and charm in the recent years.
T
he beginning of cinema in Colombia took place in the year 1897 which saw the inclusion of animated films, silent films as well as internationally commendable movies. In 1980, with the support of the Government of Colombia, a state-owned Cinematographic Company (FOCINE) was established. However, FOCINE was closed at the beginning of 1990s. After many political changes in the decade, finally in 2003, the Law of Cinema was approved which helped to restart the cinematographic industry in India. Colombian Cinema has obtained an indelible international reputation so far.
24
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
Colombian Cinema Growing Globally in Contemporary Times
In the last decade, Colombian cinema has experienced remarkable growth, both in terms of the number and the quality of its film productions. In 2011 alone, a record high of 18 Colombian films were released. Colombian cinema has burst onto the world stage in the past decade, evidenced by the number of its films that have premiered in the official selection of the most prestigious film festivals, winning awards and enchanting audiences and critics all over the world. In 2012, the 65th Cannes Film Festival included three films
from Colombian directors. The festival ran from May 16 - 27 and featured one full-length film by Colombian director Juan Andres Arango as well as two short films from directors Franco Lolli and William Vega. In March 2013, Tribeca Cinemas, the house of Robert De Niro, hosted the first Colombian Film Festival in New York City. A dozen films, eight documentaries and plenty of talent were brought to life on the big screen and showcased the promising evolution of Colombian cinema to the world. In September 2013, Vancouver Latin America Film Festival (VLAFF) presented a Spotlight and discussion sessions on Colombian Cinema and to join in the admiration of these highly talented filmmakers and their outstanding films.
Strong Presence of Colombian Cinema in Goa Film Festival In India, the Colombian mission created the very first literary prize in the name of Jorge Zalamea, published anthologies of short stories and poetry, and did many literary and film festivals. Colombian Cinema has shown its remarkable presence in India in the recent years. In December 2011, Colombian film Porfirio, directed by Alejandro Landes and produced by Francisco Aljure, won the coveted Golden Peacock Award at the 42nd International
Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Goa. Fourteen films from different countries were in the competition section. Indian Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting C.M. Jatua, Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Secretary for Information and Broadcasting D.P. Reddy, IFFI Director Shankar Mohan and a number of dignitaries from the film industry, national and international, were present at the event. The film is a true story of an air pirate’s struggle for dignity as he is confined to a wheelchair after the police shoot him in the back and show little willingness to compensate him. Tamil film actor Surya, the chief guest for the closing ceremony, presented the award and citation to Mr. Landes as well as a cash prize of Rs. 20 lakh each and certificates to Mr. Landes and Mr. Aljure.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Colombia http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/porfirio-wins-golden-peacock/article2684840.ece http://www.vlaff.org/archive/films/2013/Spotlight%20on%20Colombian%20Cinema http://mre.cancilleria.gov.co/wps/portal/embajada_india/!ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gLUzfLUH9DYwOL4BAnAyMvVyM3IyPTAGMLE_2CbEdFANPkmlc!/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carlos-macias/colombian-film-festival-new-york-city_b_2918025.html
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
25
Colombia Special
A New Centre of Research on India in Colombia CESICAM
S
Soraya with the Director of ORF
26
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
oraya Caro, the first Latin American to obtain a Ph.D. degree in Indira Gandhi National Open University and the first one from that region, deepen the analysis of economic relation between Latin American economies and India, is an example of a generation of women, committed with the elimination of stereotypes in both continents, that are limiting possibilities of inclusion and development for our people. For her, further her Ph.D. studies in the biggest democracy in the world, in the University of the People of India, an academic institution with more than 3 million students in different continents, with advanced technological facilities, acknowledged scholars and researchers was a sociological experience that allow her to observed India from different perspectives. “You can find a fellow from IGNOU in every corner of India, studying or researching in social, technological or scientific areas ”… “ Professors from all public universities in this country support the academic and research activity of students in IGNOU”.
“India- Latin America and Alliance for The Future” is the book that results from her three years Research. Fifty years of low latency economic relations between India and Latin America is the consequence of a reciprocal lack of knowledge and inexcusable ignorance about recent social and economic facts that are crucial to understand each other’s mutual interests. According to Soraya Caro the idea that an average professional from Latin America has about India is that of a great historical Hindu civilization. However, people in Latin America do not associate the Indian ‘ancient past’ with its strong tradition and national pride that prevail in today’s Indian society. Some Indians would be surprised if they knew what kind of information Latin American students manage to gather about the history of the Indian nation. For instance, the strong presence and influence of religions like Sikhism and Islam in India is unknown to most Latin Americans. The spiritual estate they recognize in India is characterized by Buddhists or Hindus, or in most cases by the new wave of international gurus. It is rare to hear Latin Americans refer to the influence of Aryans, Mughals, Muslims and even Christians in the past and in the present of India. However, the atrocities of British dominance and the glory of the non violence movement lead by Gandhi, through which Latin Americans can explain the resignation and admirable spirituality of the so-wrongly called, ‘Hindu’ people, is widely known. On the other side, well known is in Latin America, the divergent position of India in multilateral scenarios like the United Nations (UN) or the World Trade Organization (WTO), protecting interests of industries and consumers in developing countries and fighting for the elimination of trade barriers in developed economies. However, at the same time, Latin Americans tend to ignore the will of 1200 million people in the definition and implementation of Indian policies and measures that are strongly questioned in multilateral scenarios such as those related to the protection of the agricultural sectors and local capitals. An average Indian professional considers Latin American countries as loaded with bitter histories of domination. For the Indian, the Spanish and Portuguese invaders stole and plundered Latin America, murdered millennial cultures, imposed an unwanted religion and a new language that turned that continent into one lacking an identity. It is thus that Latin America turned into an easy prey for subsequent dominations and into models of economic dependency that made this region the back yard of others-- a region with no identity and no viability. A serious approach to Indian-Latin American contemporary relations demands two commitments from new researcher: first, to avoid those clichés that often appear in official dissertations and speeches like, ‘how geographically far we are but how close in terms of diversity and traditions’. India and Latin America do not need to be similar or close in traditions, geography or cultural expressions to find points of convergence. Most probably, divergent paths of development could help these two regions to look carefully at each other. Second, researchers can concentrate their efforts in identifying and encouraging common interest
and areas of economic convergence, aiming to build long-term relations inspired by the shared desire to be part of an inclusive global economy. This is what Soraya Caro is doing today. With the support of her “Alma Mater” in Colombia, Universidad Externado de Colombia an academic institution of 120 years of existence, committed with liberal education in that Country, Mrs Caro is the Director of the Centre of Research and Services for Contemporary India and Southern Asia CESICAM, a pioneer endeavour in that continent focused in the systematic study of India. The Centre is supported by a high level Group of advisors, experts from India, Latin America, Spain, by a group of strategic institutional allies, like ORF, TERI, ISS, Gateway House, in India and a Group of Companies supporting lines of research and benefiting with consultancy services. The centre will enhance the exchange of students, researchers and scholars between the two regions, academic programs on contemporary India as well as private sectoruniversity join initiatives for better and efficient interaction and complementarity.
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
27
Colombia Special
Destination Colombia
Colombia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world that offers a wide range of attractions to tourists. Tourists get an opportunity to dwell into nature’s beauty, glamorous history and thrilling events.
F
our cities of Colombia are listed among the “25 most popular destinations in South America in 2013”, according to the tourism website Trip Advisor. These four cities include Cartagena, Bogota, Santa Marta, and Cali. These cities are listed in “the best of 2013” special, where the finest hotels, beaches, and islands in Latin America and Spain are considered. Together, the four cities welcomed 340,773 foreign tourists out of the more than 1.6 million who visited Colombia in 2012. Some of the unique experiences for foreign tourists in
28
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
Colombia include Cartagena’s colonial architecture, Bogota’s Gold Museum; which evokes the legend of El Dorado, the search of a lost city in the Sierra Nevada in Santa Marta, and salsa lessons by world champions in Cali. Cartagena has “great beaches, a historic old town where tourists can visit and experience the astonishing colonial architecture” which is enjoyed by thousands of people, including cruise tourists that visit the port all year long. Santa Marta is the place where it is possible to spend the day strolling around the old ruins hidden behind the exuberant
mangroves of the Tayrona Natural National Park, or where nature lovers can “snorkel in reefs teeming with underwater life”.
Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia The Colombian Coffee Cultural Landscape region brings together the departments of Caldas, Quindio, Risaralda and north Valle del Cauca. This famous tourist spot is competing with another 330 destinations to become the eighth wonder of the world, in a contest organized by the specialist tourism website, Virtual Tourist, which is very popular in North America and Europe. The Coffee Cultural Landscape meets the requirement of modern tourists, as those who visit it have access to five out of the eight tourism products that the country offers: adventure, nature, culture, luxury and conferences”. Its attractions and uniqueness have made the Coffee Cultural Landscape a hub for welcoming international tourists. While in 2009, arrivals in Caldas, Quindio and Risaralda amounted to 29,798, in 2012 they reached 32,588. In 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the Coffee Cultural Landscape as a World Heritage Site.
History and Culture Bogota is the epicenter of Colombian culture; this capital offers a wide range of evening entertainment and the most varied cuisine in different spots of the city. The Historic Center of La Candelaria contains the entire history of Spanish colonialism preserving its original architecture, a set of narrow streets where tourists can go back to the past,
The Historic Center of La Candelaria contains the entire history of Spanish colonialism preserving its original architecture, a set of narrow streets where tourists can go back to the past, visit the Casa de Nariño, meet the new Gabriel García Márquez cultural center, or go to the most representative observation site of Bogotá, Monserrate visit the Casa de Nariño, meet the new Gabriel García Márquez cultural center, or go to the most representative observation site of Bogotá, Monserrate. Cartagena is a place that exudes history and culture. The monuments stand among the historic city, ancient cloisters, churches and fortresses. The traces of the bloody battles fought during and after the Spanish colonial times, are represented in constructions like the Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, the walls, the Palace of the Inquisition and the Clock Tower.
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
29
Colombia Special
The Colombian Archaeology Tour On the archaeological route through Boyaca, the cave paintings in Villa de Leyva and the Sun Temple in Sogamoso, both of which were the work of the Muiscas, are a major centre of tourist attraction. The San Agustin Archaeological Park of Colombia showcases sculptures made by the indigenous community that inhabited Huila more than 2,000 years ago. It is a wonderful opportunity for tourists to see other aspects of this country through its history and thus diversify their travel experience. So far, 282 foreign entrepreneurs have shown their interests in promoting the archaeology of the country.
Ecotourism in Colombia Colombia offers ecotourism and exotic landscapes, which provide relaxation and full-scale nature fun. The one thing that surprises travellers arriving for the first time in Colombia, are the 1,600 km of coastline it has in the Caribbean Sea and 1,300 km in the Pacific Ocean. A total of more than 300 beaches in the country receive all kinds of tourists, couples, families with children, adventurers and nature lovers. The country has 55 protected natural areas, according to their characteristics, they are classified as national parks and natural reserves, and now they have become wildlife sanctuaries scattered throughout the territory.
The Floral Beauty of Colombia Colombia is the second largest exporter of flora in the world and has long been recognised for producing the highest standard of flowers, revered for their quality and permanence. In fact over $1.24 billion worth of flowers were exported from Colombia around the world in 2011, and around 7 percent of the roses, carnations and chrysanthemums sold in the UK originate from Colombia. Tourists visiting the country always have an opportunity to visit the places with intensifying floral beauty and experience the natural richness and diversity inherited. Adventure Sports, a Unique Opportunity for Tourists Colombia is a country with many attractions, a variety of climates and a unique topography that includes adventure sports in its tourism. Landscape diversity in flora and fauna, offer a unique opportunity for tourists to practice adventure sports amidst warm, heated and cold environments. The characteristics of the country range from high mountains, valleys, plains, deserts, seas, lakes, mountains and rivers. In general the country has the ideal qualities necessary for these sports, from the Caribbean to the south in the Colombian Amazon.
Fashion and Food Medellín, in the heart of the Aburrá Valley of Colombia, is the capital of the Antioquia department and home to a flourishing fashion industry, finance center and birthplace of artist Fernando Botero. With a population of 2.8 million, locals here are affectionately known as paisas. Paisas are traditionalists, charming and aim to please. The
30
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
scale of changes to Medellín’s cityscape is unprecedented with a construction boom rising above the verdant city. Medellín is resplendent with mega mall districts, luxury apartment complexes and manicured gardens. Such transformation has given rise to alternative dining destinations where young chefs introduce innovative cuisine that goes beyond the emblematic Bandeja Paisa: the typical regional platter made of beans, ground beef, pork rind or chicharrón, fried plantain, chorizo, avocado, fried egg and corn arepa. One can try the exceptional crab bisque with hints of coconut milk and sherry, followed by a thick beef tenderloin topped with a herb compound butter and crisp fries. The poached asparagus with hollandaise, and salmon with an orange beurre blanc sauce are also among the delicious luxuries. La Provincia‘s refined version of comfort cooking provides a satisfying respite from a long day of working, touring or shopping. The city offers plenty of ways to discover it. The colourful trolley Touribus, stops at all of the city’s monuments and important districts. For more athletic, Bike Rent offers town-
bikes, helmet and guide to explore the verdant streets of the city. At Vía Primavera, trendy local designers display their wares. From handmade shoes by Tamara Brazdys, funky jewellery at La Sierpe to Sports illustrated worthy swimsuits at Aguabendita. One can visit the Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín, MAMM in the Ciudad del Río. Set in the renovated iron works complex, it is a gusty Afro Caribbean inspired bistro called Bonuar that churns out crowd-pleasing burgers. From the iconic to the avant guarde, Medellín offers a plethora of dining, shopping and cultural opportunities for today’s international traveler, all packaged with the genteelness of paisa charm.
Whale Season in the Colombian Pacific
In Colombia, from Nariño all the way to Chocó, in the Pacific Ocean, one can see the arrival of the whales every year between July and November. Humpback whales swim in every ocean in the world. However, the quality of the water, its depth and temperature, as well as the wind an environment features have an influence on their presence in the Colombian Pacific every year. Patience is one of the characteristics that tourists have to have when they see whales; sometimes they can spend hours on end without ever seeing one of these cetaceans nearby. Influence on the state of the ocean. There are more chances to see them when the waters are calm and the sun is not completely out in full force, in other words, during the early hours of the morning or late at night.
Colombian Pacific is a place with the perfect venue to watch the whales and their calves swim in a safe and especially respectful way. The activity of whale watching has to be respectful of the space these beautiful animals need, as they are vulnerable mammals and their survival depends highly on tourists’ conduct.
Source http://www.colombia.travel/en
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
31
Colombia Special
Cultural Diplomacy
T
he magnitudes in Asia are always relative and their proportions are usually low as compared to the vast figures in demographics, consumption volumes or socio-economic indicators. In case of Colombia’s cultural work in India during the past years, our country’s artists have performed in front of more than twenty thousand spectators and their presence in the communication media reaches an aggregate of more than one hundred fifty million people. These are major figures that reveal five years of consistent efforts and indicate the desirability of extending and deepening the strategy conducted by the Embassy of Colombia. On the music and performing arts front, the presence of Colombian groups includes all genres and types of ensembles: Choquibtown , LA 33 , Zona Prieta , El Barbero de Socorro, Oscar Acevedo and his Jazz Quartet , César López , Mama Julia los Sonidos Ambulantes, La República, Cimarrón and the Llanero Cultural Centre among the most known, but also a dozen duets, dancers and artists that have been performing regularly in luxury hotels and at high level artistic centres. The highlight of
32
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
this process was the magnificent presentation of the Cali’s Salsa school “Swing Latino” and the workshops they conducted with local schools that were fostered by the Colombian Diplomatic Mission. Colombia changed the model of holding national days in India since 2008. At that time, as a memorial of its independence, a theatrical play based on a novel by García Márquez and performed by a local company was presented. As a result of this, Colombian culture fervor began with the emergence of dance schools and various events and festivals in New Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta. The Colombian Nobel saga did not stop there and recently the story of “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” was staged. In the field of cinematography, Colombia has participated in twelve film festivals in various Indian regions and has been the guest country at the prestigious festival of Chennai. In 2011, the Colombian film “Porfirio” by Alejandro Landes, won the “Golden Peacock” award for the best film in the Goa Festival, which is one of the most reputed cinema awards in Asia. The calendar for the promotion of Colombia as a movie-making location, prepared by
In photography, the work of Colombian artists has been highly praised. The exhibition “Amazing Amazon”, a series of 23 photos taken along the Amazon River, was organized through the collaborative work of the Embassy of Colombia and the artist Nicolas Van Hamelrick the Embassy to raise awareness of the Law of Cinema and the incentives that the country offers to producers and directors, has been appointed by the Indian Graphic Arts industry as one of the more suggestive and innovative institutional publications. Colombian cinema has knocked on the doors of Bollywood and simultaneously, the Indian movie phenomenon has reached Colombia. In photography, the work of Colombian artists has been highly praised. The exhibition “Amazing Amazon”, a series of 23 photos taken along the Amazon River, was organized through the collaborative work of the Embassy of Colombia and the artist Nicolas Van Hamelrick. It has been presented in Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata as well as in countries where Ambassador Pinto Saavedra is concurrently accredited (Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh) as an expression of diversity in Colombia. The series of portraits of Indian children in the slums of Dehradun by Juan Pablo Gutierrez also had a great impact, and the exhibits “40 Poets” and “Life of Garcia Marquez “ were very well received. No less notable were the display of amateur national artists like G. Linares, with his Tibetan series printed on rice paper, and the collection of photos of members of the Colombian community. The Colombian plastic arts came to the National Gallery of Modern Art for the opening of its temporary exhibitions hall,with the work of the sculptor Claudia Hakim. The plaster bust of Simon Bolivar that decorates the entrance of the Embassy in New Delhi was donated by the Nivia family and is a copy of the original that was commissioned in its time by General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera and crafted by the sculptor Pietro Tenerani. Such is the case of the bust of Tagore, original copy of the famous Ramkinkar Baij, which thanks to diplomatic undertaking adorns the gardens of the Instituto Caro y Cuervo in the town of Chia, Colombia.
Literature And Diplomacy: The Indian Formula The recurring presence of writers in the diplomatic corps accredited in New Delhi has been a long tradition of Indian diplomacy. The most renowned was Octavio Paz who was the Mexican Ambassador, but the list is extensive and includes many Latin American and European names. In the recent case of Colombia, Juan Alfredo Pinto Saavedra, columnist and essayist,
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
33
Colombia Special
political and business leader, developed in India an innovative line of convergence between diplomacy management with emphasis on economic issues and cultural diplomacy, with great literary display. His literary vocation has allowed him to write a book of short stories and a novel, during the six-year period he has served as Ambassador of Colombia in Delhi. “Lotus Flower: Stories from Asia” is a set of ten tales, or short stories,that take place in Asian countries, but most of the main characters have Ibero-American origins: a typical exercise of the so-called multicultural literature. Once the Spanish edition was sold out, the National Academy of Arts of India designated the renowned Sahitya Akademi for the translation and publication in English, and was very well received among Indian readers. Currently, Sahitya Akademi entrusted the translation into Hindi to the prestigious Professor Sonya Gupta, translator of “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The book will be circulating soon. The Ambassador claims that it has been a convergent game. “We coincided in India: the linguist Oscar Pujol encouraging the implementation of the Instituto Cervantes, the Mexican poet Conrado Tostado as cultural attaché of his country, a group of university Hispanist teachers, Ion De La Riva Ambassador to Spain promoting with the ambassadors of Latin American countries the magazine “ Vislumbres”, the writer Santiago Gamboa as consul in our team for the period 2008 - 2010 and I as ambassador of Colombia. Everything came together. Even the presence of PavanVarma, writer and essayist with whom we had met during the publication of essays on the role of the middle class in our countries, as Director of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). We created a critical mass and the phenomenon was multiplied”. Indeed, Colombia translated into Hindi and published an anthology of short stories; organized meetings and literary gatherings with the most famous Colombian authors of our time; created the Jorge
34
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
Zalamea Literature Prize to honour the author of “The Dream from the Steps” (which was inspired by his visit to Varanasi in 1957); promoted poetry festivals; supported the emergence of publications; excelled during its journeys at the Cervantes Institute; published a beautiful book on the fiftieth anniversary of relations between Colombia and India in 2009; and led the film forum series “Colombian Literature and Cinema: Homage to García Márquez and Álvaro Mutis”. With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy conducted lecture series in 16 universities in Colombia and India, where culture and economy were major players. The cultural task of the Embassy of Colombia has been marked by its inter-culturalism. One of the projects that is being presented now in Delhi, where painters from the two countries who had not met previously, perform works inspired by twenty words, and converge on a display, showing the vocation to develop integration activities in the field of artistic creation. Furthermore, Colombia has found spaces linking culture and social responsibility, through exercises such as the “Painted House”, in which the members of the Colombian community and the inhabitants of a very poor suburb of Delhi work together under the leadership of Vicky Fadul, decorating houses and public spaces, overcoming the fictional contradiction between economic limitation and aesthetic sense of living. “It’s a beautiful parable about the importance of culture in international relations, full of teachings and extraordinary moments” says smiling Ambassador Juan Alfredo Pinto at the end of a children’s story private reading by one of the characters of his new novel “La Cuña Marina”. There, an Indian translator involved in the problems of Latin America on behalf of an environmental tragedy, makes his own analysis and concludes: “your problems are not so serious once you discover that your continent is all about the future”.
Colombia Introduces Salsa in India
A
part from the traditional forms of music and dance, two musical rhythms have conquered large parts of Colombia. These are “la salsa” which has spread throughout the country, with Cali considered as the capital of la salsa, and the “vallenato”, which originated in La Guajira and Cesar in the northern part of the Caribbean coast. The vallenato rhythm is mainly played by the vallenato accordion (buttons accordion) and other instruments. On the other hand, Salsa has become popular all over the world including India. The variants of Colombian folk music include Cumbia, a mixture of native Spanish and African music, salsa, Champeta or the African diasporic music, Porro, European military music and Vallenato, music from the country’s Atlantic coast.
‘LA 33’, one of the top five Salsa bands in Colombia, performed a combination of foot-tapping Salsa Dura of New York, the Caribbean Salsa, jazz and traditional Colombian folk at the Mavalankar Stadium in New Delhi on the evening of July 30, 2010. The concert was presented by the Embassy of Colombia and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to mark 200 years of Colombian Independence. This event in Delhi witnessed the best of people from all sectors in India. Few to name are: Indian Idol Judge, Salim Merchant and ICCR’s head as the chief guest. Apart from them, the event had guests from all the Embassies and CEOs of big corporations such as Aditya Birla. The event saw dancers from all over India, especially from Delhi Salsa Club and many other salsa training institutes. This was in continuation with the ongoing
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
35
Colombia Special
efforts from the Ambassador Juan Alfredo Pinto to spread the message of Colombian culture. This was the second major event for the year, after the first gastronomic festival. The earlier event opened avenues in food industry. In words of Colombian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaime Bermudez, “what is important about this activity is that there won’t be one voice, but many voices getting together in one big concert”. Salsa shares many similarities with contemporary Bollywood music that makes the scope of fusion feasible. The Colombian salsa melody, an energetic version of traditional Cuban, Puerto Rican, Caribbean and American dance music with African influences is finding its way into Indian Cinema after the popularization of Colombian Salsa band ‘La 33’ in the country. The band was formed in the year 2,000 and it shot to fame with its Salsa Dura hit single ‘La Pantera Mambo’ from their debut album ‘La-33’ in 2004 that was the theme song of movie The Pink Panther. In 2009, the band released its third album ‘Ten Cuidado’ that features a track, ‘Roxanne’, arranged with The Police. The 12-member ‘La-33’ plays the 1970s style jazz-oriented salsa with base instruments like timbale drums, bongo ceros, congas, trombone, cowbells, cymbals, saxophone and guitar. Today, Salsa music is very popular around the world as well as in many cities of India. It is easy to identify with the
This event in Delhi witnessed the best of people from all sectors in India. Few to name are: Indian Idol Judge, Salim Merchant and ICCR’s head as the chief guest. Apart from them, the event had guests from all the Embassies and CEOs of big corporations such as Aditya Birla music because salsa has several influences like the jazz and island folk. ‘La 33’ was named after a street Calle 33, where the founders of the band, Sergio and Santiago Mejia, lived. It is described as the first major ensemble to come out of the Colombian capital Bogota after the Salsa music action moved to Bogota from Cali, a tourist town that was known as the salsa capital. Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/1416914/report-topcolombian-salsa-band-eyes-bollywood
Banda La Repblica in Siri Fort Auditorium
36
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
Amazing Amazon
I
t was a wonderful afternoon, when Indians discovered the unseen Amazon during the festival – The Forest, at India International Center )IIC), inaugurated by the King of Bhutan on 21 October 2010. This exhibition was named as “The Amazing Amazon” with a motto of presenting the hidden treasures of the tribes, floras and faunas along the banks of river from the Pacific Ocean to its origin Andes Mountain to the basin/ delta of Amazon River in the Atlantic Ocean. The Latin American nations which contributed were Colombia, Peru and Brazil. The Exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, IIC Asia Head, followed by welcoming words from the Ambassadors of three countries. Ambassador of Colombia, Juan Alfredo Pinto, said “This exhibition is an eye opener for Indian on Amazon River and know Amazon and Colombia.” The Colombian named the theme as – The Lost Amazon and was presented by a collection from Colombian Photographer – Nicolas Felipe. Nicolas, an architect by profession, followed his heart and took photography as his career. For this presentation, he travelled 500 days from Pacific Ocean to Andes Mountain Range, the origin of Amazon River, to the Great Amazon Basin/ Delta in Atlantic Ocean and collected the hidden treasures and beauty that the river Amazon spreads from while it travels in the South of Colombia. It was followed by a short presentation from Nicolas on the journey of 500 days. He described his experience, the challenges he faced, the beauty of Mother Nature he collected. As known for its hospitality, Ambassador Pinto invited the audience for exhibition and a coffee at the end of the presentation. The audiences were delighted to see the collection and expressed their desires to visit Colombia. Every one appreciated his work and the Colombian Coffee.
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
37
38
Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine | October 2013
October 2013 | Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Magazine
39