High-Tech Exports to Colombia Jumped by 28 Percent in 2007
The U.S. Free Trade Agreement with Colombia
Expands Trade and Promotes Stability

Washington, DC (March 19, 2008) – AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, today released a report on the impact of trade between the United States and Colombia. The report shows that U.S. high-tech goods exports to Colombia totaled $1.51 billion in 2007, up 28 percent from the previous year, the fourth fastest growing market for U.S. high-tech products in the world.

"While Colombia is not a huge market for U.S. high-tech products, we have a $1.47 billion tech trade surplus with Colombia," said Rob Mulligan, AeA’s Senior Vice President International. "We believe passing the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement will help U.S. tech companies increase these surpluses. As part of the agreement, Colombia agrees to strengthen protection for intellectual property rights and to join the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), which eliminates tariff and non-tariff barriers to certain high-tech products. Ultimately, this helps create American jobs as it opens the Colombian marketplace to U.S. products and services."

“Expanding trade between the United States and Colombia also forges strong ties between our two countries,” continued Mulligan. “It strengthens free markets, enhances stability, and fosters democracy in a country and a region where none of these should be taken for granted. Rejecting free trade with Colombia sends an unfortunate message about U.S. commitments to the region and to expanding free trade throughout the Americas.”

The report released today is the 20th installment of AeA's ongoing Competitiveness Series, which analyzes issues of importance to the high-tech industry.

All installments of the AeA Competitiveness Series can be found at: www.aeanet.org/cs.


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About AeA
AeA, the nation’s largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

This page was last updated on 03/19/08.