10 May 1995
FIRST VISIT BY A COLOMBIAN TRADE MINISTER
The Minister for Trade, Senator Bob McMullan, today welcomed the forthcoming visit by the Colombian Minister for External Trade, Dr Daniel Mazuera, the first ever by a Colombian trade minister to Australia.
Senator McMullan will hold talks with Dr Mazuera in Canberra tomorrow.
"The visit by Dr Mazuera builds on the increasing business and official exchanges between Australia and Latin America in recent years," Senator McMullan said.
"The visit is an excellent opportunity for a briefing on the economic outlook for Colombia, and the exchange of views on improved trade and investment between our two countries."
Two-way trade between Colombia and Australia has increased from about $20 million in 1992 to over $68 million in 1994. Australia's export performance in areas such as mining, sugar harvesting, and telecommunications equipment has been particularly strong.
In 1994 total Australian exports to Colombia were over $56 million, while imports from Colombia totalled $12 million. Australia's principal exports to Colombia are wool, chemicals, leather, and machinery, while coffee and man-made fabrics are our major imports from Colombia.
Senator McMullan said Australia has an interest in the process of Latin American economic integration, and particularly how it is likely to affect trading partners outside the region.
"I will be seeking Colombia's perspective on these issues and, as Colombia is a Cairns group colleague and host for the 1996 Cairns Group Ministerial meeting, Dr Mazuera and I will discuss current agricultural trade policy issues and future Cairns Group activities," Senator McMullan said.
Dr Mazuera was appointed Minister for External Trade on 7 August 1994. From 1993-94, he was Chairman of the Bogota Stock Exchange. From 1991-93, he was Colombia's Ambassador to Argentina. Dr Mazuera was elected to the Colombian Congress, first as Representative from 1982-86 and then as Senator from 1986-90. He served as Chairman of the House of Representatives from 1984-85, as President and Vice-President of the Economic Committee of both Houses of Congress, and as Secretary of the Government of Bogota.
Further information: John Flannery, (06) 277 7420, Carlos Castro, DFAT, (06) 261 3447