Expo Centre Sharjah is set to facilitate better trade ties between the UAE and Colombia, the third largest Latin American economy, with the visit of a Colombian delegation.

The delegation from Colombia met officials of Expo Centre Sharjah and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry yesterday (April 2) and also toured the ongoing 38th MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show.
 
It was led by Cecilia Porras Eraso, president of Arab-Colombian Chamber of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Academic and Cultural Mission of the ICESI University of Colombia.
 
Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, chief executive officer, Expo Centre Sharjah, said: “Colombia is on a drive to diversify its economy and the delegation is on a mission to explore opportunities in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East region. They showed interest in several of our shows, especially OIC Halal Middle East, which could help them find new markets for their products and services.”
 
The MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show, which will run until April 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, was particularly interesting to the team given that Colombia is the world’s top producer of high-grade emeralds, accounting for over 90 per cent of world output, said a statement.

It is also the second-largest South American producer of gold.

The visit and a series of meetings the delegation members had with several entities in the UAE are aimed at boosting Colombian exports to the UAE, which, as per available figures for the year 2013, stood at about $10 million.
 
The delegation consisted of 31 members, including entrepreneurs from the fields of processed food, fruits, coffee, emeralds & maritime trade, investors, executives, business students and academics.

Its 11-day tour of the UAE is an initiative by ICESI University in association with the Arab-Colombian Chamber of Commerce.
 
The visit also comes at a time when the UAE has ratified an agreement with Colombia on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports. - TradeArabia News Service