Colombia and Japan restarted economic cooperation negotiations, after four years

He National Government announced the reactivation of negotiations for a Economic Association Agreement (EPA) with Japansuspended since 2021.

The announcement was made in Osaka, during a meeting led by the President Gustavo Petro and the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Diana Marcela Moraleswithin the framework of the Osaka 2025 Expo.

The EPA, whose conversations began in 2012, is seen as a key instrument to strengthen bilateral commercial ties, give greater security to Colombian exporters and encourage new investments. Both the Colombian government and Japanese businessmen agreed that their reactivation could open important opportunities in different economic sectors.

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President Petro said that a balanced agreement would allow the access of Colombian products to the Japanese market and, at the same time, at the same time, It would facilitate the arrival of Japanese machinery and technological innovation to boost sectors such as agricultural.

During the visit, Minister Morales held meetings with Japanese companies from different productive areas, such as Sojitz, Onoda, Nippon Koei and Mitsubishi. Several of these companies ratified their interest in initiating businesses in Colombia, while others expressed the intention of expanding existing projects.

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Among the proposals, the possibility of Sojitz participating in infrastructure initiatives in areas such as health, logistics and the aeronautical sector, agreeing on the creation of a technical group that identifies concrete opportunities and the realization of a company visit to Bogotá.

In an encounter with the Parliamentary Vice Minister Akiyoshi Kato, of the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Industry of Japan (METE)Colombia’s vision was reaffirmed as a strategic partner for Japan. Both governments identified areas of mutual interest cooperation, including green hydrogen, clean energy, carbon bonds and digitalization.

Colombia in Osaka

The 2025 Osaka Expo was presented as a strategic scenario to make Colombia visible in Asia under the brand ‘The Beauty Country’. In this space, Colombian agri -food products had an outstanding role, especially the coffee, cocoa, hass avocado and coconut oilmanaging to capture great interest among Japanese buyers and translated into business expectations for about US $ 34.7 million, of which 98.7% came from the agri -food sector.

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The Hass reference avocado was particularly relevant, with an agreement that could generate business for US $ 11 million, consolidating its presence in the Japanese market. In addition, other sectors such as metalworking, the fashion system and various industries also registered business opportunities.

In total, during the International Macorrueda 353 business appointments were carried out between 44 Colombian exporters and 61 international buyerswhich demonstrates mutual interest in expanding and diversifying economic ties between Colombia and Japan.

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