Nicolás Botero-Páramo, president of Confecámaras, urged the suspension of tariffs between Colombia and Ecuador during a committee in Ipiales, Nariño. Border companies can no longer endure the situation, which has disrupted bilateral trade for months. Proposals include declaring an economic emergency in border areas and reactivating bilateral coordination mechanisms.
During a border committee held in Ipiales, Nariño, Nicolás Botero-Páramo, president of Confecámaras, along with Iván Javier Flórez Portilla, president of the Ipiales Chamber of Commerce, called for the suspension of tariffs between Colombia and Ecuador. They explained that border companies and merchants "can no longer endure" the prolongation of these tax measures, which have lasted for several months amid the commercial crisis.
Botero-Páramo stressed the need for an agreement that does not harm border commerce. He highlighted that nearly 40% of medicines entering Ecuador come from Colombia and noted that the border crossing is almost completely closed due to a national strike in Ecuador starting at 3 p.m. Flórez Portilla added that more than US$5 million in goods are mobilized daily at the Ipiales border, and the situation also affects Putumayo and Tumaco.
Among the proposals, they requested the National Government to declare an economic emergency in border regions, temporarily suspend tariffs in the Border Integration Zone, and reactivate the XII Binational Cabinet Colombia-Ecuador to address commercial, economic, and security challenges. They also called for an urgent meeting between the defense ministers of both countries to coordinate actions against drug trafficking and other crimes.
Participants submitted a request to the Andean Community of Nations and the Andean tribunal regarding Colombia's claim over the commercial crisis with Ecuador. Other initiatives include tax incentives, extension of VAT exemptions in border areas, collective commercialization schemes, and access to financing for businesses. Botero-Páramo described the situation as "an S.O.S for our borders," emphasizing its potential to strengthen regional competitiveness through public-private partnerships.
