COLOMBIA 2019: A BET ON THE COUNTRY WE ALL DESIRE

• The size of Colombia´s economy will more than double.
• Poverty level, including subsidies, will fall from 45% to 15%.
• The production of illicit drug will be eliminated.
• In September, open discussions on the proposal will be held.
  

Bogotá August 7, 2005.-Colombia´s national government presented its document Visión Colombia II Centenario: 2019, an ambitious proposal from which it pretends to foster a long term vision of the country for the next 14 years, when it will commemorate its second century of political independence.

The document was presented by Colombian President, Álvaro Uribe Vélez and the head of the Colombia´s Department of National Planning, Santiago Montenegro.

This discussion document, prepared by Colombia’s Department of National Planning in concurrence with Ministries and other government agencies, proposes 19 different strategies. Each of them comprises a diagnosis of the current situation regarding the topic it entails, proposes detailed goals for the year 2019, and actions to achieve these.

In addition, population growth rates and changes in the country’s demographic structure, projections of resource needs for the development of each of the strategies and fiscal, financial and balance of payments restrictions were also considered in the analysis.

In synthesis, Vision 2019 requires the achievement of four objectives by means of which it guarantees the attainment of specific socio-economic goals.

An economy that warrants greater welfare.

The achievement of this objective requires Colombia to consolidate its economic growth strategy, attain macroeconomic stability, and accomplish a competitive productive sector that fully employs the country’s natural resources. Equally, the country must develop infrastructure in accordance with its growth needs and base this growth in scientific and technological development.

Through these strategies, the country’s economy will have increased its size by a factor of 2.1 times, achieving investment levels of 25% of its GDP. Most of the economic growth will be achieved through an increase in export levels which will represent 25% of the country’s GDP.

By year 2019, Colombia will add two million hectares to its farmed area, of which almost 1.1 million will sustain commercial forest plantations.

Amongst other goals, the number of foreign tourists visiting Colombia will grow eightfold, its road capacity will increase in 2,554 km, and investment in science and technology will represent 1.5% of its GDP.

2. A more equal and united society.

This objective depicts strategies that look to breach social and regional inequalities, achieve a more equal distribution of income, develop friendly city models, and forge a better coexistence culture.

Through the implementation of these strategies, poverty levels, including subsidies, will fall from 45% to 15% and unemployment rates will not surpass 5%.

All children will have the opportunity to be educated; education system’s coverage will increase from 88.1% to 100%.

The country will have almost 4 million new housings and public space by inhabitant in cities with more than 100,000 people will increase from 4 m2 to 10 m2.

3. A society with free and responsible citizens.

By year 2019, Colombia’s violence level will be similar to that of developed countries, it will have consolidated its peace processes, it will have deepened its democratic model, it will have warranted an efficient judicial system and it will have forged a civil culture.

In 14 years, Colombia will have eliminated the production of illicit drugs and will have reduced homicide levels to 8 per every 100,000 inhabitants.

In addition, election participation will increase from the current 45% to 58%.

The judicial system will have improved its processes to reduce congestions levels from 62.6% to 32.5%; only 5% of the population will accept the use of violence for political means.

4. An efficient state in service for its citizens.

Colombia will achieve efficient and transparent institutions, it will fortify its decentralization process, it will adapt its territorial arrangements, and design a foreign policy in accordance with the world’s political and economic transformations.

Through these strategies, Colombia will consolidate a result-driven State in which all territorial entities will be financially sustainable.

Equally, in 14 years, Colombia will play a fundamental role in articulating country groups and blocks in the region and in the continent by taking advantage of its privileged geographic position..

¿How to achieve these goals ?

None of the desired goals will be achieved in the immediate term. Colombia will need to make significant efforts in order to reach them..

Colombia will need to understand and fully adapt to the transcendental changes happening in the world’s economy. In order to fully take advantage of the opportunities generated from these changes, it is critical to for Colombia to achieve increases in its productivity levels and competitiveness.

Colombia cannot miss the opportunity of taking advantage of its privileged geographic position and the diversity of its territory. Colombia’s genuine comparative advantages must be translated into competitive advantages.

Finally, Colombia must internalize the transformations that result from its expected demographic changes. By 2019, there will be 10 million more inhabitants, on average the population will be older and 77% will live in cities. There will be an increased demand for services such as education, health services, housing, transportation, and pension payments, amongst others.

Through the achievement of the objectives set forth in Vision 2019, Colombia will be able to consolidate a democratic model embedded in the principles of liberty, tolerance and fraternity.

In addition, the country will attain an inclusive socioeconomic model, by means of which all Colombians will have equal opportunities and have certainty on the ability of their State to warrant these opportunities.

The document Visión Colombia II Centenario: 2019, will be the starting point for the discussions that the National Government, through its Department of National Planning, will be holding nationwide from September 2005 onwards.