Canada–Colombia Free Trade Agreement Explained

Canada–Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Type:Free trade agreement
Date Effective:August 15, 2011
Parties:

The Canada–Colombia Free Trade Agreement is a trade agreement between the countries of Canada and Colombia.

In August 2002, it was announced that Canada and the Andean Community of NationsBolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru—had agreed to begin preliminary discussions towards a free trade agreement (FTA). Given that not all Andean Community countries were in a position to move forward on FTA negotiations at the same time, Canada worked toward FTAs with Colombia and Peru only as announced in June 2007. The agreement with Colombia was implemented on August 15, 2011.[1]

Canada and Colombia enjoy good commercial and investment relations as the presence of Canadian companies, particularly in the mining, oil exploration, and printing sectors, continues to grow. In 2010 two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Colombia totalled more than $1.4 billion.

Canadian merchandise exports to Colombia totalled $644 million in 2010; major exports include goods such as cereals (wheat, barley), machinery, vegetables (pulses such as lentils, peas, chickpeas), paper and paperboard, and vehicles. Canadian merchandise imports from Colombia totalled $717 million in 2010. Major imports consist of mineral fuels and oils, coffee, fruits, and sugar. As of 2010, the accumulated value of Canadian investment in Colombia was $824 million. This investment is primarily in the oil and gas and mining sectors, although important links also exist in the printing sector.

Overall commerce of FTAs

According to Statistics Canada, this is the 2010 trade balance Canada had with other countries:[2]

Country Trade Type Amount (Thousands $CAD)
United StatesTotal Exports $298,649,075
Total Imports $203,343,670
Trade Balance$95,305,405
JordanTotal Exports $66,038
Total Imports$19,927
Trade Balance$46,111
PanamaTotal Exports $129,501
Total Imports$84,207
Trade Balance$45,294
ColombiaTotal Exports $642,275
Total Imports$717,266
Trade Balance-$74,991
IsraelTotal Exports $385,007
Total Imports$1,006,448
Trade Balance-$621,441
ChileTotal Exports $587,467
Total Imports$1,872,339
Trade Balance-$1,284,872
PeruTotal Exports $476,446
Total Imports$3,619,098
Trade Balance-$3,142,652
European UnionTotal Exports $34,595,164
Total Imports$48,009,401
Trade Balance-$13,414,237
MexicoTotal Exports$5,008,227
Total Imports$22,111,308
Trade Balance-$17,103,081

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Canada  - Colombia FTA. 2011-08-16. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. 2012-01-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20120307050453/http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/andean-andin/can-colombia-colombie.aspx?view=d. 2012-03-07. dead.
  2. Web site: Canadian Trade Balances.