According to information released by the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MINCIT), the agenda includes a review of the progress of Costa Rica’s accession process, the status of negotiations with the Associate State candidates, and progress in preparations for the 6th Cooperation Forum.

The event, which will conclude tomorrow, Wednesday, will begin with formal greetings from Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia and the Minister in charge of MINCIT, Cielo Rusinque, and with the presentation of a commemorative plaque to Singapore for the entry into force of the Alliance’s Trade Agreement with two of the four member states (Chile and Peru).

Subsequently, the attending deputy ministers will participate in the discussion “Achievements and Challenges of the Pacific Alliance,” which plans to become a broader platform by 2030, with more members to expand the scope of the free movement of people, goods, capital, and services.

The organizers added that the bloc’s strategic partners will hold a panel to analyze future economic and investment trends in the association.

One of the topics the authorities from the four countries will address is the role of the integration bloc in the current trade and international policy situation. Participants will also hold a dialogue on the organization for citizens and another to be held by the Pacific Alliance Business Council.

Invited to the event are partners of the integration mechanism, such as the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF); the diplomatic corps of the member countries; trade promotion agencies; representatives of bloc companies; and officials from member states, as well as from Singapore and Costa Rica.

The Pacific Alliance was established in April 2011 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru through a Framework Agreement that entered into force in July 2015, and whose trade protocol entered into force on May 1, 2016. Colombia currently holds the pro tempore presidency.

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