Paulo Portas and Sergio Díaz-Granados were the Guests of Honor at the 1st Great Colombia-Portugal Conference.

The former Vice-Prime Minister of Portugal shared his analysis of current political and social issues in Latin America, especially Colombia, sending a message of confidence in democratic institutions and the dynamics of different economies.

Paulo Portas argued that Colombia is a global case of political, diplomatic and economic success, which is why it should continue to be on the radar of Portuguese investment and trade.

The former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia explained the process of sustainable economic growth that the country has been undertaking in recent decades, namely in the increase and diversification of foreign direct investment.

The current Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank for Colombia and Ecuador was one of the main political leaders in the country, during the phase of the most intense Portuguese investment in this market.

The Conference featured a round table attended by the Director of Institutional Relations at Jerónimo Martins, the Director of New Projects at the ETE Group, the person responsible for ProColombia for Portugal and Spain and the Director of the Luso-Colombian Chamber of Commerce.

The Secretary General of IPDAL presented a report on the evolution of bilateral economic relations between Portugal and Colombia since the signing of the free trade agreement with the European Union, highlighting the most recent figures and the sectors that have benefited most from this relationship.

The Director of ProColombia for Europe also presented the current context for foreign investment, trade and tourism in Colombia.

The initiative resulted from a co-organization between IPDAL and the Embassy of the Republic of Colombia, with particular support and enthusiasm from Ambassador María Elvira Pombo.