By its bicentennial celebrations, Columbia has transformed from a country troubled with crime and drug abuse into an economic dynamo.  While it remains a country in transition, knowing only 47 years of peace in its 200 years of independence, Columbia is fast emerging from its violent past and blossoming into the bright star of Latin America.  

Columbia is Latin America’s fourth largest oil producer and its fifth largest economy.

In the last eight years, foreign direct investment increased fivefold while its gross domestic product per capita has doubled. In addition, murder rates have tumbled 45 per cent and kidnappings have dropped 90 per cent since 2002.

The government expects the economy to grow 3 per cent in 2010, after expanding 0.8 per cent in 2009.  Columbia’s retail sales gained 13.1 per cent in May 2009 from May 2010 – a higher percentage than the previously forecast 8.2 per cent.

Despite being hit by the global financial crisis in 2009 and a trade dispute with Venezuela which saw exports drop by more than 50 per cent, Columbia emerged as one of the few economies which grew last year.

According to the World Bank, Columbia has the best business environment in Latin America and the New York Times calls it the best place for tourism.