The Swiss Confederation, known for her neutral role in international politics, can be the cornerstone for the program dual education that the National Government promotes for the linking of young students to the labor market.
This is clear from the conversation with Eric Mayoraz, Swiss ambassador to Colombia and who reaffirmed that there is valuable interest from both the public and private sectors to further develop this model.
(See: Technological trends in education for 2023).
In commercial matters, the diplomat recalled the good relationship between countries. Currently, according to figures from Dane, between January and October 2022, the trade balance between the two countries left a deficit for Colombia of US$210.7 million.
On the other hand, Mayoraz reaffirmed his country’s commitment to humanitarian aid and the Colombian peace process, including the dialogues with the ELN and other groups outside the law.
(See: Colombia’s roadmap in the education sector for 2023).
How is the bilateral relationship?
The relationship is very good, excellent even and very intense. We have an extensive portfolio of bilateral relations in the political, economic, but above all cooperation fields. Switzerland has been supporting the peace process in Colombia for more than 20 years, with various instruments. Currently, our collaboration is based on three pillars.
What are these pillars?
The first of them is focused on displaced persons and victims of the conflict, also recently on migrants. We support various entities of the United Nations, as well as we have water access programs for these populations.
The second is economic support, we have an office of our Ministry of Economy that supports various entities such as the Bank of the Republic, the Ministry of the Environment, among others. Also a group of economic support programs for sustainable employment, for labor integration of young people, others for better use of energy. In the field of mining, we have a program that supports the legalization of gold mining in small and medium-sized producers.
Lastly, there is support for the peace process. On the one hand, we will continue to support the agreement with the FARC, we also support the JEP, among others. Now, we will increase our support for the negotiation with the ELN. We do not rule out supporting total peace talks with other groups. Here are the open doors.
(See: Switzerland builds train almost two kilometers long and breaks record).
How are the economic relations?
On an economic level there are many Swiss companies that are present here. Of all sizes. There are many well-known ones, but we have many SMEs, in all sectors. This is very important because Switzerland is not only a country of multinationals, it is also a country of small and medium-sized companies.
We have a bilateral chamber of commerce, the Colombo-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, which for many years has received applications from SMEs and helps them to reach the country. The Chamber has a mandate from the Swiss Global Enterprise (promotion agency) for the promotion and support of Swiss investment abroad.
In this area, we also support the Government’s dual education projects. There is great interest on the part of the ministries of Education, Commerce, as well as Confecámaras, among other entities, to increase and contribute to the integration of young people through this system, which integrates young people through this system, which integrates them into 16 years in the labor market, where they go two or three days to the university and the rest to a company that welcomes them.
Eric Mayoraz, Swiss ambassador to Colombia.
private file
And on a commercial level?
We have a relationship that is linked to the free trade agreement we have between Colombia and EFTA. And, in fact, an important aspect, in 2021 Switzerland was the fifth investor in the country; we have always been in the top ten.
In the business climate, investors are confident in the importance of the Colombian market. Those who are here will stay and others will arrive.
(See: The country that approved that women retire at the same age as men).
Is there a specific sector that is attracting attention?
On the Colombian side there is a lot of interest from the Government in the areas of innovation, new technologies, among others. There is a priority to develop the link with Switzerland, due to our experience and positioning in the measurement rankings.
There will be new investments from large companies in the country by 2023, but not much can be anticipated. Nestlé has some plans to develop.
(See: BBVA Switzerland opens the bitcoin service to its customers).
What can you expect in 2023 from the relationship?
On a political level, it will be an intense year due to the presidential visit, as well as a possible visit from our Secretary of Economy. Switzerland will be accompanying Colombia, we want a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Colombia.
ROBERTO CASAS LUGO
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