La República, one of the most important daily financial and economic newspapers in Columbia, published a commentary from Núria Vilanova titled “Columbia and Spain are closer than ever”. In this article, the founder and president of ATREVIA analyzed the reasons why links have been strengthened between both countries in the last few months.
In the last few years, Columbia and Spain have strengthened their links to a point where both countries have never been or felt so close. This perception has been highlighted by the recent contribution to two events; the visit of the Spanish minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism, José Manuel Soria to Columbia who was accompanied by extensive business representation and the emotional farewell of the Columbian ambassador from Spain, Fernando Carrillo, exceptional diplomat that helped the two countries feel closer.
I have had the fortune to go on a trip accompanied by these authorities and I have to say that this tour guided by business people and diplomats was exceptional. It was an official trip but it felt very warm and human… different, where Spanish and Columbian business people had the opportunity to get to know each other and feel the political closeness. From the inauguration dinner, invited by businessman Jaime Gilinski in his hotel, to the reception hosted by Jean Claude Bassudo in Isla Margarita and the tremendous closeness and informality that President Juan Manuel Santos that showed us, we were made to feel like home during the entire trip.
The official but “personal” meeting with India Cartagena who is an ideal brand for the Spanish-Columbian relations participated in this meeting, where business people from both countries were able to think together and make proposals to improve in certain areas. One area in particular is tourism, a sector that Columbia wants to grow and this is where Spanish companies have great experience to contribute. The meeting concluded a necessity for a strategic plan where Spain holds an important key because it is a transmitter to the high number of travelers and has a great market of investors.
It is clear to all of us that our countries live in a brilliant moment of collaboration, that understands and drives economic, investment and social links. There has been the possibility to determine projects together and establish first hand plans for the needs of companies which result in being illustratively enriching. I believe that this is the moment to think of Columbia who has achieved an impressionable transformation and is an example of a stable brand and a reformed spirit as an ideal destination for big investors. The advancement of the peace process and the development of infrastructures increase this positioning.
Recently back from Madrid, an event which pinned the perception of a bilateral good moment, weights the sadness that was a goodbye from Fernando Carrillo, notable diplomat and great friend who is set to undertake a new phase in his career. He has been the ambassador for the last two years and he will leave an indelible mark of illusion, work and achievements. The Iberian chapter of Ceal which I was honored to preside, was an emotional dinner of thanks at the end of Carrillo´s journey, a dinner led by the Spanish Minister of Justice, Rafael Catalá and where important personalities from the world of business and politics attended who wanted to wish him well and thanks.
In my opinion, the arrival of peace to the country has been one of the major achievements that have happened. Therefore, it must be recognized that with these efforts they have achieved the removal of the visa requirements of Columbians in November 2015 in the EU. More great achievements were the birth of the Spanish and Columbian Foundation and the business meeting with Cartagena. Carrillo also helped Columbia to be invited for the first time to the ARCO Fair, the creation of the Columbian Chair in the University of Salamanca and the Iberia-American Summit 2016.
There were more than enough reasons to pay tribute to Carrillo. In the words of Catalá, the ambassador has been and is an example of the life service and of compromise to the country, and to the Iberia-American community. Here he leaves friends and an unforgettable mark. Yes, Columbia and Spain are closer than ever.
