Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos on Thursday confirmed that his country was first on the list to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Joining the OECD would prove a major step for Colombia in the international community and a tidy public relations move in the president’s favor.
“After more than two years of intense and serious work, we are among the prime candidates to join this important international organization,” Santos said.
The OECD works with governments to understand and augment economic and social change. Among other capacities, the OECD measures productivity, trade flow and investment on a global scale, comparing data to predict future trends. The OECD also establishes standards on international issues like agriculture, tax and the safety of chemicals.
OPINION: Colombia and the OECD
The list of countries included in the ‘good-practices club’ is sizeable yet exclusive. Both France and Italy have expressed support for Colombia’s invitation.
If admitted, Colombia will recieve an influx of foreign aid intended to stregthen the economy and state institutions.
