In 2020, Switzerland imported goods worth a total of CHF 304 million from Colombia, mainly precious stones and metals and agricultural products. Swiss exports to Colombia amounted to CHF 516.1 million and mainly comprised chemical and pharmaceutical products, machinery and precision instruments. Swiss direct investments in Colombia amounted to CHF 5 billion at the end of 2019. Swiss companies operating in the country employ around 12,750 people.
Economic relations between Switzerland and Colombia are based on a solid legal framework. A free trade agreement between the EFTA States and Colombia has been in force since 2011. Switzerland and Colombia have also had an agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investments since 2009 and a double taxation agreement since 2011. In March 2019, Switzerland and Colombia signed an agreement to ensure the correct implementation of the double taxation agreement.
In April 2021, Switzerland and Colombia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Joint Economic Commission. It is composed of government and private sector representatives from both countries and aims to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations.
Export promotion and investment protection
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), as well as Swiss representations abroad, provide a wide range of services. In recent years, they have increasingly focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The 170 or so embassies and consulates general offer Swiss and Liechtenstein companies :
- Standardised information
- Mediation of contacts and support in accessing official bodies abroad
- Representation of the interests of Swiss companies
The Swiss-Colombian Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio Colombo Suiza, CCCS) has served as a bridge for the promotion of trade between the two countries since 1974. The CCCS currently has 60 members, mainly Swiss and Colombian companies (multinationals and SMEs). The Chamber of Commerce works closely with the Swiss Embassy and Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE). The CCCS has a cooperation agreement with the latter for the processing of mandates from Switzerland.
Trade promotion, Switzerland Global Enterprise SGE
Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)
Swiss - Colombian Chamber of Commerce
Swiss-Impex database of the Federal Customs Administration
Swiss National Bank database on direct investment
Staffing levels of Swiss companies abroad
Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and the EFTA States (fr, de, it)
Information sheet on the Free Trade Agreement EFTA - Colombia (de)
Agreement between Switzerland and Colombia on the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments (de, fr, it)
Convention between Switzerland and Colombia on the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital (de, fr, it)
Economic Guide to Swiss Entrepreneurship in Colombia (es)