Strategic agreement to boost trade between Taiwan and Colombia

The Taiwan Testing and Certification Center (ETC) and the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC) have signed a key agreement to facilitate and optimize international trade between Colombia and Taiwan.

This momentous agreement was formalized on July 4, 2025, through an exchange of notes, coordinated by the Taipei Trade Office in Colombia. The signing was led by Mr. Lin Tsung-Ching, CEO of the Taiwan Testing and Certification Center, and Mr. Roberto Montoya, CEO of ICONTEC, and was witnessed by Representative Victor Chu of the Taipei Trade Office.

The agreement provides for the execution of audits, inspections, sampling, and other services in Taiwan, in strict compliance with standards and technical specifications, as part of ICONTEC's conformity assessment activities.

This strategic alliance will allow ICONTEC to have highly qualified local auditors in Taiwan, capable of conducting audits and product evaluations directly in the country of origin. This represents a more agile, cost-effective, and efficient solution for companies importing products or raw materials from Taiwan, offering numerous benefits such as reduced time and costs associated with these processes.

Additionally, the Taiwan Testing and Certification Center (ETC), as a new strategic partner, has internationally recognized accreditations for these activities. Its extensive and modern network of testing laboratories guarantees rigorous, reliable technical evaluation aligned with international standards. This state-of-the-art infrastructure will allow for immediate laboratory testing, facilitating decision-making and compliance with regulatory and market requirements.

ICONTEC's General Manager, Roberto Montoya, stated that this agreement represents a significant step in strengthening our capabilities as a certification body and, above all, in facilitating processes for Colombian companies and those from the countries where we operate in Latin America that import products or raw materials from Taiwan.

The executive stated: “In an increasingly interconnected world, where the competitiveness of countries depends largely on their ability to efficiently integrate into global value chains, having mechanisms that guarantee product quality and compliance is essential.

Therefore, this agreement represents much more than a technical alliance; it is a strategic tool to strengthen bilateral trade between Colombia and Taiwan by facilitating access to reliable, agile certification processes aligned with international standards."

For his part, Lin Tsung-Ching, Executive Director of the Taiwan Testing and Certification Center, emphasized that the signing of this agreement marks a new milestone in bilateral cooperation in testing and certification. He emphasized that, in the future, Taiwanese companies will be able to conduct product testing locally, accelerate the acquisition of Colombian certifications, further shorten the time to enter the Colombian market, and improve their international competitiveness.

He emphasized that this cooperation will significantly contribute to strengthening bilateral technical exchanges and industrial relations between Taiwan and Colombia, further promoting bilateral trade and generating more opportunities for cooperation for the industries of both sides. The Taiwan Testing and Certification Center (ETC) reaffirms its commitment to continue promoting international cooperation to facilitate the entry of Taiwanese companies into the global market.

During the signing ceremony, Representative Víctor Chu highlighted the growing trade dynamic between the two nations. He reported that in 2024, trade volume between Taiwan and Colombia will reach US$580 million, representing an increase of nearly 8% compared to 2023. Representative Chu noted that Colombia is Taiwan's sixth-largest trading partner in Latin America and the third-largest export market in the region.

In this constantly evolving global economic and trade environment, both parties must seize the opportunity to diversify their export markets and reduce trade risks. He stated that the industries of Taiwan and Colombia are highly complementary: Taiwan can provide Colombia with cutting-edge technological products, machinery, and equipment, while Colombia can provide Taiwan with energy resources, mining, and high-quality agricultural products. Following the implementation of this agreement, companies from both countries are expected to take advantage of the established economic framework to increase bilateral trade volume.

The Taiwan Testing and Certification Center (ETC) is an organization whose main objective is to implement the import and export testing and certification missions assigned by the government, in coordination with current policy. In addition, it provides product inspection and certification services according to the development and needs of the national industry. Its services cover a wide range of tests, including product safety, electromagnetic compatibility, communication terminals, environmental reliability, connectors, optical lighting, medical devices, information and communication products, intelligent software, structural safety, chemical and hazardous substance analysis, food, drug, and cosmetic testing , instrument calibration, and legal verification of measuring and weighing instruments, among others.

The Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC) is a certification and inspection body for management systems, products, services, and processes. It is also responsible for the validation and verification of declarations, reports, reports, projects, and other documents. The Institute is a member of ISO and the International Certification Network (IQNet), the world's largest and most recognized certification body, with representation on five continents.

ICONTEC has also designed and offers various training programs aimed at manufacturing, service, and sector-specific companies. These programs enable organizations and their staff to acquire and apply the concepts and methods needed to implement technical standards and business management tools, thereby improving their competitiveness. ICONTEC currently has operations and offices in Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia, and provides services and operations globally.

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