The Diplomat
The second vice-president and economic advisor of the Xunta de Galicia, Francisco Conde López, together with the ambassador of Colombia in Spain, Luis Guillermo Plata Páez and more than 40 Galician businessmen visited Colombia on 15, 16 and 17 March, in order to hold different meetings with state and business entities.
This commission arose from the invitation made by the President of the Republic Iván Duque to the President of the Xunta de Galicia, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, in September 2021, when he made his official visit to Spain and visited the Autonomous Community of Galicia.
The Colombian ambassador accompanied the Galician delegation to meetings with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications, where issues of interest for the development of the naval, aeronautical and ICT industries based on artificial intelligence and digital strategy will be addressed.
The Galicia-Colombia Business Forum was also held in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Bogota, so that Galicia can show its main economic attractions, Galician businessmen can learn about the advantages of Colombia as a trading partner and investment destination, and have an exchange of experiences with Colombian entrepreneurs.
During the visit, the installation of the Jacobean Symbol “El Mojón”, one of the most representative symbols of the renowned Way of St. James, took place last Wednesday in the Monserrate sanctuary, an emblem of the city of Bogota. The donation was made by the Galician delegation as a symbol of harmony, respect for diversity and coexistence between peoples. The event was attended by the Colombian Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Maria Ximena Lombana; the Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, and representatives of the Curia and the District Institute of Tourism, together with Ambassador Luis Guillermo Plata and the 2nd Vice-President of the Xunta de Galicia, Francisco Conde.
The last stop of the trip took place in the city of Antioquia, where both delegations signed a Declaration of Intent for the twinning between Galicia and Antioquia, which was led by the Vice-President Francisco Conde and the Governor of the Colombian city, Aníbal Gaviria. A business forum on ICTs organised by ProColombia and RUTA N was also held, as well as a visit to the Galician company Valver, which has a factory in La Estrella, Antioquia.
