Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa April 5, 2012.
Credits: REUTERS/Chris Wattie
Harper last paid a visit to Colombia in August 2011, when the two countries inked a free-trade agreement. In fact, Canada has more free trade agreements with Latin America and the Caribbean than with the rest of the world combined.
Two-thirds of all mining projects in the region are Canadian and more than 500 Canadian companies operate in Brazil.
This time around, Harper will be joined by band of Canadian corporate tycoons from the banking and resource sectors, promoting Canadian products and services and looking for new business opportunities.
"This is the decade of the Americas," said Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos in a statement on the summit website. "Together we are a force to reckon with."
But Canada is concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, where deadly drug cartels could hinder trade growth for Canadian companies.
During his time in Cartagena, Colombia, Harper is expected to discuss details on Canada's future strategy for the Americas.
Since its current policy was introduced in 2007, focussing on security, prosperity and democratic governance, the government says dual trade growth has grown 33%.
Harper is also planning a stop in Chile, where he is expected to make a bid to join talks in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) - an Asian-Pacific free trade proposal being negotiated by the United States, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Canada, Mexico and Japan have indicated they want to participate in discussions.