Country Profile

The end of the formal conflict between FARC and the government has boosted the country’s image abroad, allowing the tourism industry to fulfil its potential in areas that were previously out of bounds. Medellín, once known as the home of drug cartels, is now a focal point for innovation in Latin America. As such, it is set to become a regional leader in creative industries, an incentive reinforced by President Iván Duque and his Orange Economy Agenda. The government aims to promote Colombia as a regional and global target market and to double its contribution to GDP from 3.5% to 7% between 2012 and 2022. Meanwhile, the long-term Fourth Generation road infrastructure project is making considerable progress in its ambition to reduce journey times between major cities and industrial centres. This chapter contains interviews with Iván Duque, President; Ángel Gurría, Secretary-General, OECD; and Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.