Analysis of exporter profile of Colombia from 2000 to 2012

The present project aims at analyzing the performance of Colombia as an exporter country between the years 2000 and 2012 after the trade liberalization of the 90s, and analyzing the results of the current strategy to diversify exports’ products and markets. A summary of the recent trade policies established in Colombia and an analysis of the different trade agreements the country has signed in the last years, or that are currently under evaluation is presented. Colombia historically has exported mainly products in the agricultural and mining sectors (Basic products) with a lower participation for the industrial sector (Semi-manufactured and Manufactures products). In the period of time analyzed it can be seen that the share of the mining sector in the total exports is growing (oil and coal), keeping the trend of depending on basic products. United States has been for many years the first consumer of Colombian products (mostly oil). The subsequent positions have shown an important variation, currently being Holland (with coal) and Chile (with oil) the second and third most important countries for Colombian exports, positions historically held by Venezuela and Ecuador respectively, showing that the diversification strategy for exports’ markets is going in the right path.