Aruba's one happy week in Colombia

On May 24, 2023, Geoffrey Wever, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Communications and Sustainable Development, inaugurated the 'Aruba Office' at Holland House Colombia in the presence of Ernst Noorman, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Jan Willem van Bokhoven, the Executive Director of Holland House Colombia, Gavril Mansur, the President of the Aruba Chamber of Commerce, Maria Dijkhoff-Pita, the Director of the Department of Economic Affairs, and the Aruban trade delegation. With the official opening of this new office, Aruba aims to further facilitate trade between the two countries, provide support to Aruban companies interested in doing business in Colombia, as well as offer information and assistance to Colombian investors and entrepreneurs interested in the Aruban market.

Recently, Minister Wever signed an agreement with Holland House Colombia, continuing the work initiated some years ago by the Aruban private sector in collaboration with Holland House. This agreement has led to the establishment of five companies in Colombia, the most recent being IBS Aruba. Furthermore, more than 60 entrepreneurs have shown interest in the Colombian market, in contrast to the more than 350 Colombian entrepreneurs that were interested in doing business with Aruba.

In the same week, the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Aruba Tourism Authority Office in Colombia and the successful Aruba Trade Mission to Colombia took place. The trade mission, the biggest so far, was attended by a memorable delegation of more than 30 businessmen from the island, who traveled to Colombia with the aim of learning about its culture and economic opportunities, and to strengthen trade ties between the two countries. During their visit, more than 120 meetings were held between Aruban and Colombian businessmen. This initiative reflects the commitment of Aruba and Holland House in promoting tourism and bilateral trade relations.

In short, the opening of the 'Trade & Investment Office Aruba' in Holland House Colombia, together with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Aruba Tourism Authority Office and the Trade Mission, emblematizes significant steps towards the strengthening of trade relations, tourism and economic cooperation between Aruba and Colombia.