HIGH-LEVEL LUNCHEON WITH THE COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT.

Anvil's President Mr. Reginald Yu lead the delegation of the Anvil Business Club (Association of Young Filipino-Chinese Entrepreneurs ) in a high-level luncheon with His Excellency, Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, President of the Republic of Colombia during a meeting with Philippine businessmen at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 Summit.
Together with key officials from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport), the Makati Business Club (MBC), as well as select Philippine government representatives, the Anvil Business Club was treated to an exclusive introduction of Colombia by their country's Number One salesman – with such electrifying comportment that he converts the most incorrigible skeptic into a hard-core believer. "Soaring Andean summits, unspoiled Caribbean coast, enigmatic Amazon jungle, cryptic archaeological ruins and cobbled colonial communities, Colombia boasts all of South America's allure, and more," the rousing Chief Executive began in fluent English. "Our country offers an off-the-radar treasure trove of cinematic cobble-stoned towns and villages almost unspoiled by modern progress."
Citing the Colombian government's keen interest in the Philippines for expanding bilateral economic ties, President Santos cited their country's historic economic boom since the 1990s and, in 2015, has become the 4th largest in Latin America, as well as the world's 31st largest economy. "Colombia has the fastest growing information technology industry in the world and has the longest fiber-optic network in Latin America," he boasted. "Not to mention the fact that Colombia also has one of the largest shipbuilding industries in the world outside Asia... in fact, we have the fastest growing major economy in the western world in 2014, behind only China worldwide."
The President has also made known his particular desire to open opportunities for increased trade, especially with their two major export commodities – petroleum and coffee. Petroleum is Colombia's main export, making over 45% of Colombia's exports. Colombian coffee, on the other hand, is often regarded as some of the highest quality coffee in the world. "Colombia has traditionally grown arabica beans and our unique geography makes it perfectly suited for producing a delicious, high quality brew," he said. Colombia has traditionally been second in global coffee production only to Brazil.
For his part, Ambassador Alfredo "Fred" Yao, speaking on behalf of PCCI as its President, spoke highly of the shared history of the Philippines and Colombia, citing their common love for "tele-novelas," as well as their cuisine and religion borne out of a shared Spanish heritage. He expressed optimism that both countries will benefit from Colombia's exports, as Ambassador Yao pointed out the growing demand for coffee and a source of cheap petroleum in the wake of the country's rising economy.
While there have been some concerns regarding Colombia's problems of insurgency – particularly with the Marxist paramilitary group, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) – and the notorious illegal drug trade, President Santos assuaged the business group with their government's significant developments in the peace process, as they are currently in negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia, with a scheduled signing of a final agreement in 2016.
All told, Colombia has the potential to be one of Latin America's great success stories. Under President Santos' leadership, it is already a serious emerging power with a diversified economy, a very well educated work force, a growing middle class and a strong, democratic government.
As the Filipino businessmen left the Amethyst Room, they were one in saying that Colombia is, indeed, a promise being fulfilled.