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The authorities reported that electricity production in Colombia grew steadily between 2012 and 2017, climbing from 59,890 to 64,142 GWh. Electricity is chiefly generated in hydroelectric power stations, which accounted for 86% of total production in 2017. (...)

(…) Revenues from ecotourism services are exempt (for 20 years) from income tax. Since 2013, the sale of certain packages of tourist services has been exempted from VAT. (…)

Four important fiscal policy changes occurred in 2011, impacting the economy as a whole as well as various individual sectors, including the reform of the system by which royalties generated by natural resources are distributed

In 2007 the Andean Community Presidents agreed to promote more balanced integration that would take account of the social, cultural, economic, political, environmental and trade dimensions

The Trade Promotion Agreement between Colombia and Canada consists of three separate but interrelated agreements: the Free Trade Agreement, the Labour Cooperation Agreement, and the Agreement on the Environment, which lays out the obligations of both parties regarding environmental protection

Foreign investment is permitted in most sectors, except for some in which Colombia maintains limitations or prohibitions, including activities involved in the processing, disposal and elimination of toxic, hazardous or radioactive waste not produced in Colombia

Goods under national customs transit-i.e. goods transported under customs control from one customs post to another in the same country - require a transit declaration. In principle, goods can be received under the transit regime in all Colombian ports, but the Directorate of Taxes and National Customs (DIAN) may prohibit or restrict access for reasons, inter alia, of zoo-sanitary, phytosanitary or environmental security, pursuant to a request made by the competent authorities, or else when for this is deemed appropriate control reasons

Certain imported products that are not produced in Colombia are exempt or excluded from the payment of VAT, such as machinery or equipment for the recycling and processing of garbage or waste, and for purifying or treating waste waters, atmospheric emissions or solid wastes, provided they form part of a programme approved by the Ministry of the Environment; equipment for environmental control and monitoring, including that needed to comply with the Montreal Protocol, and machinery and equipment intended for use in activities that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Colombia continues to prohibit the importation of certain goods, such as chemical and toxic waste on grounds, inter alia, of environmental protection, and to fulfil commitments under the international agreements to which Colombia is a signatory, such as the Montreal Protocol of 1987, but Colombia can also impose temporary import bans to eliminate the risks to affect human, animal and plant health

Automatic licences are used to implement regulations which, among other things, protect animal and plant health, security and the environment, while imports subject to the prior licensing regime include used or remaindered goods and wastes