Congress urged to renew Colombia trade preferences

Congress urged to renew Colombia trade preferences    Two industry groups urged Capitol Hill lawmakers this week to renew the Andean Trade Preferences Act (ATPA) for Colombia before adjourning for the year.
   The National Foreign Trade Council and U.S.-Colombia Business Partnership together represent a broad range of companies in the energy, pharmaceutical, consumer products, mining and finance industries.
   ATPA is set to expire on Dec. 31.
   'Failure to renew ATPA would not only directly impact American jobs, but would be a devastating blow to Colombia,' the groups warned in a letter to House and Senate leaders on Wednesday. 'As one of America's closest allies in Latin America, and a country that has fully lived up to its obligations under ATPA, it deserves to have these benefits extended.'
   The groups said ATPA has benefited the United States' efforts to help Colombia switch from illicit drug trafficking to legitimate trade. According to a December 2010 Office of National Drug Control Policy report, pure cocaine produced in Colombia over the past several years has fallen significantly — from an estimated 700 metric tons in 2001 to only 270 metric tons in 2009.
   'This 61 percent reduction has been mirrored by an equally significant rise in the production and exports of fresh cut flowers, further evidence that one of the principle goals of ATPA — moving Colombians once engaged in the drug trade to the legitimate economy — is being fully realized,' the groups said. ' Chris Gillis