For most of the countries in Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region is still an unexploited market. The dynamic aggregate demand of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, especially China, offers Latin America and the Caribbean unprecedented production and export opportunities, both in commodities and in manufactures and services. Colombia actively promoted their interest and position in the Asia-Pacific regional cooperation with President Alvaro Uribe participating as the sole president of a non-member economy in 2008 APEC Summit. Colombia signed FTA with Canada, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with China on the sidelines of APEC. Colombia's trade and investment links with the Asia-Pacific is still limited although dynamic and ambitious in recent years. Considering the Uribe government's efforts for the APEC's two causes of regional integration and open economy, and for the sake of another locking-in effect, however, it will be appropriate that Colombia be admitted to APEC to enhance its momentum. This will give implications not only for future political and economic policymaking in Colombia but also for other countries' in the region. (The rest is omitted.)

Executive Summary

I. Introduction

II. The Issue of the Admission of New Members

III. The Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and APEC

IV. Colombia and the Asia-Pacific Region

V. Differentiation of Economic Spectrum in South America

VI. Conclusion

References