Dubai’s non-oil trade with Colombia reached $138 million in 2016, a 200 percent increase from 2012, said Hamad Buamim, president and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Speaking at the end of a visit by a high-level delegation of the DCCI to Colombia, he noted that there is still potential to boost Colombian exports of flowers, fruits, coffee, and cocoa to the emirate, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.

He also urged key stakeholders from the country’s public and private sectors to enhance their co-operation with the emirate.

The DCCI’s delegation held a series of meetings in Bogota with Maria Lorena Gutierrez, Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and senior representatives from the Bogota Chamber of Commerce, Agricultural Association of Colombia, ProColombia, Colombian Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Colombian National Infrastructure Agency, Colombian Confederation of Chambers of Commerce, National Infrastructure Agency, Colombian Association of Flower Exporters, and the Colombian Farmers’ Association.

Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism noted that the Colombian President plans to lead a high-level delegation to the UAE before the end of 2017, which she said would greatly contribute to advancing bilateral relations.

Majid Saif Al Ghurair, chairman of Dubai Chamber, explained that the organisation is keen to identify and explore new avenues of co-operation between Dubai-based businesses and their Colombian counterparts. He explained that the signing of agreements to facilitate investor protection and avoid double taxation would be of significant importance in strengthening bilateral ties.

He further highlighted tourism and air freight as two sectors where Dubai has developed strong expertise, which can benefit Colombian businesses. He called on Colombian firms to participate in Expo 2020 in Dubai and learn more about what they can gain from the mega event.

In addition, Al Ghurair invited Colombian government and business leaders to take part in the 2nd Global Business Forum on Latin America in Dubai. Organised by Dubai Chamber, the high-profile forum will take place in the first quarter of 2018. Its aim is to enhance economic co-operation between the emirate and the promising markets in Latin America.

The delegation visit to Colombia was part of Dubai Chamber’s second trade mission to Latin America, which also covered Panama and Costa Rica. Earlier this year, the Chamber led a delegation to Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and opened its first regional representative office in Sao Paulo.