The Economic Section (ECON) supports bilateral economic relations between the United States and Colombia in areas such as macroeconomics, trade, energy, telecommunications, finance, intellectual property rights, environment, climate change action, labor, civil aviation, transportation, science and technology, economic development, and infrastructure.
The office is responsible for monitoring and reporting on developments in the Colombian economy and developing opportunities for the evolving bilateral economic relationship.
ECON has lead responsibility in the Embassy for coordinating efforts to support compliance with the Colombia-U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA or, as some refer to it, Free Trade Agreement or FTA).
Finally, in conjunction with the United States Foreign Commercial Service, ECON assists U.S. businesses interested in investment and trade opportunities in Colombia and local companies interested in doing business in the United States.
Goals
- Promote compliance with the Colombia-U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA).
- Increase U.S. exports to and investment in Colombia as well as increase Colombian investment in the U.S
- Increase energy cooperation, including a strengthened Colombian regulatory framework and capacity for the sustainable development of non-conventional renewable energy resource.
- Encourage respect for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
- Advance joint environmental, climate change, and health efforts.
- Strengthen efforts to combat corruption and money laundering.
- Further collaboration in the fields of science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Ramon (Chico) Negron, Economic Counselor