During the spring meetings 2023 of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), in Washington (USA), Colombia had a presence with the Minister of Finance, José Antonio Ocampo, who participated in various events and meetings with leaders, economic figures and businessmen.
The main objective of the Colombian participation was to promote dialogue and seek new economic and development alternatives for the country.
And this Saturday, April 15, according to the Government, the balance of the meetings and talks was positive.
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During the Economic Outlook Forum for Colombia, in which executives from companies such as Pharma, Merck, Amgen, Abbott, Cargill, Motorola, ExxonMobil, Millicom and Kimberly participated, Ocampo spoke about actions to achieve a positive impact in today’s complex environment.
“Considering the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we think of advancing in education, health, housing, sanitation, electricity, water and information technologies so that they reach the most distant parts of the country“, he claimed.
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And at a World Bank/IMF/ICRICT civil society policy forum, the minister highlighted three important aspects of the country’s tax reform: progressive taxes on the income of physical persons, a simple tax for micro-enterprises and the reduction of some taxes.
Ocampo also gave his opinion on the WB, of which he said that it is necessary to transform it, “It requires an organization capable of responding to current crises without neglecting the structural problems of developing nations. The evolution of the World Bank requires adequate incentives for middle-income countries“, said.
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And he appreciated that the growth of the multilateral development system is required, which implies, according to the minister, a capitalization of the WB “not only for private financing or for climate change, but at the government or public level“.
Ocampo, during the meetings of the IMF and the WB.
During his trip to Washington, Ocampo also met with Alfonso García Mora, vice president of la International Finance Corporation (IFC). This organization assured that it projects 2023 as a record year in investments in Colombia and estimates that 1,200 million dollars would be invested in the country.
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“The IFC will bet on Colombia through three lines of investment: inclusion, green agenda and infrastructure. The organization will support the private sector and apps“said the Ministry of Finance.
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