|
Archived Articles
Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.
He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.
In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.
Global Real Estate Project
|
 |
Colombia: Moving in right directionThree years have passed since our last analysis of Colombia and it seems the country has firmly moved in the right direction by reducing some of the stigma it's usually associated with. Its newly re-elected president Alvaro Uribe has moved harder against the leftist insurgents, and at the same time has opened the economy to foreign capitals. All this has been accompanied with keeping good the relations with Washington and at the same time keeping at reasonably high levels the relations with Washington's regional archenemies Cuba and Venezuela. If Uribe fulfills all his political and economic promises we may witness within a relatively short period of a Colombian renaissance, and why not to see as it turns into a regional model for sustainable economic and social development. Recent Colombian election put a temporary hold on seemingly unstoppable Left wave that swept through vast regions of South America. It wasn't just the victory of the candidate opposing the Left that really mattered. Much more important was that this victory was supported by a vast coalition of neither purely right nor left political parties, making the Left look marginalized. Unlike many other countries in Latin American where the Left still inspires romantic feelings of social justice, Colombia is a country where the population has firsthand experience about the tools it utilizes, not always peaceful. Almost a half-century of civil conflicts is more than enough to dissipate any Left political romanticism, reducing its supporters to those only with cynical economic interest of keeping the fight on. Not surprisingly the vast majority in Colombia still prefers to give support to leaders symbolizing the law and order in more traditional ways. Uribe however has done and is promising to do much more than just fighting the Left insurgents. For the purpose of this analysis another side of his policy has significantly bigger impact on the image of his country. He's firmly committed to open further the economy to foreign investors, to gradually involve the local rural population in activities far from growing illegal crops like tourism. The data shows that Colombia has seen the number of foreigner tourists doubling. The country is again on the list of most international touring agencies. Most of the tourists are still visiting well-known destinations like Cartagena and the Colombian Caribbean islands, but some daring ones are also visiting the Lost City (Cuidad Perdida) and other less known places. We shouldn't make any illusions that the problem with the widespread criminality is solved once and for all. Even after cutting them by a half Colombia still has homicide and kidnapping rates several times higher than the countries eventual tourists and investors may come from. The increased governmental control over the territory hasn't been left unnoticed by the neighbors, some of which stand on very different ideological positions. Venezuela and Cuba both keep good relations with the country. Venezuela has now interest of promoting peace in Colombia given its interests of building new oil pipeline to the Pacific through Colombian territory aiming the Chinese market. Cuba is economically dependent on Venezuela thus making Fidel Castro interested in stable Colombia too. Not surprising therefore to see Cuba brokering negotiations between Colombian government and some of the Left rebel groups. To sum up, Colombia is on the right track of becoming interesting country for small investors. Maybe it's still too early to move the country into the group of normal nations. On the other hand, we should keep a look on it in order not to miss the opportunity of investing on this still relatively cheap market.
Colombia profile: --------------------
See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Colombia.
|
See also:
