The Leader also announced that, during this year, investment rate was around 25 per cent. He reiterated that the only way to overcome poverty is by increasing investment in the country.

Bogotá, July 14 (SP). During the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the National Association of Advertisers (Anda), President Álvaro Uribe Velez restated that despite difficulties of the Colombian economy, the country has gain a privileged position to attract investment.

The Head of State informed that in the first semester of 2009, until June, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Colombia reached 4078 million dollars, which means a constant investment rate of 25 per cent during this year. 

He also highlighted the growth of FDI in Colombia, taking into account that in the last years, investment rate went from 12 and 14 per cent to 24 and 28 per cent average.

Regardless of the decrease compared to last year, is a great increase compared to past years. In the past, foreign investment was around 700 million dollars, 1000 million dollars and peaks of 1.500 and 2000 million dollars”, the Leader explained. 

He reviewed investment performance during 2007, with a total of 9028 million dollars and 2008 with 10.564 million dollars.

Uribe reiterated the Government’s commitment to promote investment in the country. He pointed that his administration has offered even conditions for hiring and taxes for both national and foreign investors.

“The only way to overcome poverty and build equity is through a sustainable and high investment rate. The rest is just based on electoral speeches and it ends, as always, in frustration” the President stated.