As part of ALKADO´s continuous efforts to foster economic connections between Central Europe and Latin America, we recently had the honor of attending a significant business expedition in Colombia, visiting the departments of Cesar, Magdalena, and Atlántico. Our distinguished delegation included Mr. Hauri Ahmed Moulud, Chief of Mission of the Sahrawi Embassy in Colombia, along with his political advisor Mr. José Leonar Botero Martínez and the person in charge of the embassy’s educational sector Mrs. Katheryne Aldana Villalobos, and representatives from the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) branch in Colombia, originally from South Korea.
The primary objective of this visit was to establish strategic relationships with these regions and explore new opportunities for collaboration. We met with chambers of commerce, governors of the departments, mayors of the municipalities, various business leaders and rectors of local universities.
Reflecting on our previous article in our LinkedIn newsletter and on our website, The Importance Of Strong Strategic Alliances For Successful Business In Colombia, this expedition exemplified our commitment to building and nurturing these essential relationships.
Day 1:
Our journey began with a visit to the Chamber of Commerce of Valledupar. We were warmly welcomed by Dr. José Luis Urón Márquez, Executive President of the Chamber, and other members. This meeting set the tone for our expedition, emphasizing the importance of building strong institutional connections.
Following this, we visited Tierra Grata, a village established as part of the peace agreements with the FARC. Tierra Grata serves as a model of peacebuilding and community development, illustrating the transformative potential of strategic alliances in fostering social stability.
We concluded the day with a visit to the Universidad Popular del Cesar, where we held productive meetings with university leaders, including the Rector, to discuss potential collaborations in education and research.
Day 2:
The second day of our expedition featured my participation and presentation at the PazLlenato event in Valledupar, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Valledupar. My presentation, titled “ALKADO: Aliados para la Paz y el Comercio entre Eslovenia y Colombia (ALKADO: Allies for Peace and Trade between Slovenia and Colombia),” highlighted the critical role of formal commerce in reducing dependency on illicit activities and strengthening social and economic structures.
The event, attended by over 150 participants, included discussions on peacebuilding in different parts of the world. I was honored to share the stage with esteemed speakers such as Mr. Hauri Ahmed Moulud, Mr. José Leonar Botero Martínez, Mrs. Leire Ha from IWPG, Colombian Senators Clara Eugenia López Obregón and Didier Lobo Chinchilla, and historian Tomás Darío Gutiérrez, among others.
I had the pleasure of meeting Colombian Senators Clara Eugenia López Obregón and Didier Lobo Chinchilla in person, engaging in insightful conversations with them.
Following this event, we were warmly received by Elvia Milena Sanjuán Dávila, Governor of the Department of Cesar, and her team.
The day concluded with a warm welcome from the Metropolitan Police of Valledupar.
Day 3:
Our final day in the Department of Cesar included a visit to the Mayor’s office in the Municipality of La Paz, where we were warmly received by Mayor Wilson Rincón Álvarez and local entrepreneurs. We also visited the Mayor’s office of Becerril, further strengthening our regional connections.
In the evening, we were invited to dinner by the Governor of Cesar, which provided an excellent opportunity for informal networking and cultural exchange.
Our expedition continued in Santa Marta, the capital of the Magdalena department, where we were welcomed by Mariana Romo, Executive Director of Invest in Santa Marta, at the Chamber of Commerce of Magdalena.
Finally, we traveled to Barranquilla, the capital of Atlántico department, where we held meetings with mayors, governors, and delegates from the departments of Atlántico and Bolívar, establishing strategic relationships.
Throughout this expedition, I was honored to represent both ALKADO and Slovenia at a high political level, showcasing our company´s and country’s values and fostering international cooperation. Beyond establishing valuable strategic alliances, we had the opportunity to admire the regions, learn about their culture, people, food, and traditions. I am deeply honored to have been part of this mission, and my gratitude goes to the Chamber of Commerce of Valledupar for extending me and ALKADO the invitation.