Hernan Martinez Torres
Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy |
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
A top official of Colombia's National Hydrocarbon Agency has asked South Korean businesses to bid for new oil projects in the Latin American country.
The 2010 Open Round is aimed at bringing in up to $100 million of investment for 178 blocks, Armando Zamora, director-general of Colombia's National Hydrocarbon Agency, said in an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Monday.
Zamora, who came to Korea to participate in the High-Level Forum on the Korea-Latin American Countries Partnership, offered tips on making an investment in his country. The two-day forum was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
``Take advantage of the diplomatic relationship. Government agencies can help you out,'' he said.
Zamora also advised finding good partners. ``Whether to find good partners determines a good beginning."
He made a presentation on the projects, which are expected to kick off next June, during the forum which ended Tuesday.
``This is a preview presenting what we are intending to do,'' he said. ``The official submission date will be in December.''
For South Korean investors looking for blue oceans, Colombia may be an attractive spot for its rich resources.
Despite its vast reserves of natural resources and energy, some of them hesitate to invest in the country due to the perception that Latin American countries are swayed by political ups and downs.
Hernan Martinez Torres, Colombia's minister of mines and energy, however, said that his country is ``different.''
``We have political stability. We've got a different situation,'' said Torres who joined the interview.
The minister also advised Korean businesses to make investments in Colombia in an aggressive manner, referring to China's brisk investment in securing energy.
``They, the Chinese, are aggressive in other areas too. But we need a lot more. You, South Koreans, need to be aggressive,'' he said.
Martinez expressed regret over his tight schedule, which did not allow him to look around Korea, an emerging diplomatic and economic partner of Colombia.
He said, ``A year ago, there were no Korean companies working in Colombia. Now, seven companies are there.''
The minister asked more investors to come to the South American country, noting that it has ``lots of human resources capable of good management and plenty of energy for high-intensive production.''
ksy@koreatimes.co.kr
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무디스, 스페인·伊·포르투갈 신용등급 강등
