Bogota talks

by **Rob Allanson** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:41 pm

One of whisky's top diplomats is holding talks with the Colombian Government in a bid to ease market restrictions.
Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, Gavin Hewitt, is to visit to Bogota following negotiations between the EU and Colombia on an ambitious free trade agreement.
Hewitt will outline the industry's key priorities for fair market access to
what is an important emerging market for Scotch Whisky.
Priorities include elimination of a 20 per cent import tariff on Scotch whisky, discriminatory excise tax arrangements that tax Scotch at nearly double the rate of aguardiente (a Colombian spirit drink), and reform of a number of anti -competitive practices in state alcohol monopolies (the Licoreras).
Hewitt said: "Colombia has the potential to become an increasingly important and dynamic market for Scotch whisky and I look to use the opportunity to speak directly to the ministers of finance and trade to highlight the mutual benefits of tariff and tax reform."