Araújo Ibarra

We are the leading Colombian firm in investment and international trade according to the most important global rankings.

We advise local and international businessmen, as well as governments and government agencies in identifying and seizing business opportunities combined with the design of strategies that enables them to increase their competitiveness in a globalized environment. Through a global network of partners and an interdisciplinary team, we provide economic and legal advice in Free Zones / Special Economic Zones, Special Import-Export Systems “Plan Vallejo”, International Trade Strategy, Customs Law, Foreign Exchange, Trade Remedies and Commercial Policy (Anti-Dumping measures), Corporate Law and Tax Planning. We have led the optimization of some of the most important investment projects in the history of Colombia. In addition, we actively participate in the design of investment and foreign trade strategies in the main emerging economies of the world.

We also have a wide network of partners in Latin America, North America, Asia, and Europe, allowing us to support our customers anywhere in the world.

Main Areas of Practice:

International Trade:

The firm’s area of International Trade has over 50 years of experience. It advises and supports its clients on the implementation of foreign trade mechanisms and free zones, It is also specialised in maximising profits in industrial operations and services. Over the past 3 years, the strategies it has put in place for its clients has resulted in saving them more than USD 20 million in operation.

The firm increases the savings capacity of its clients and reduces their risks through the structuring of transnational operations, optimising times and ensuring adequate compliance with the Colombian exchange rate regime.

Araújo Ibarra is also an expert in trade facilitation processes and in the optimisation of customs and logistics procedures that allow structuring efficient foreign trade models adapted to Colombian regulations. The firm has avoided the application of fines and seizures of more than 300 national and foreign companies.

Customs and Exchanges Law:

Araújo Ibarra provides integral advice to their clients to ensure compliance with customs and exchange obligations in foreign trade operations.

Special international trade mechanisms:

Comprehensive advice from the viability analysis to the implementation of foreign trade, tax and/or customs mechanisms, to achieve greater competitiveness.

Trade Remedies & Commercial Policy:

The firm defends the interests of companies in unfair competition investigation processes, for the adoption of anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguards. Likewise, it optimises the use of FTAs (Free Trade Agreements) that improves the international competitiveness of companies.

The firm achieved for the first time in Colombia, the adoption of a general safeguard measure for imports of wire rod and the adoption of an anti-dumping duty due to the threat of damage to imports of wire rod originating in China.

Special Import-Export Systems “Plan Vallejo”:

For more than 30 years, the firm has managed to reduce costs and import taxes (tariffs and VAT) of raw materials and/or equipment between 19% and 25% through its expertise of the customs legal regime and the application of Special Import-Export Systems.

Internationalization Strategies:

Through the use of innovative tools and methodologies, the firm assists the productive sector, regions and national and international governments in identifying opportunities and visualising projects, assessing their social, economic and market impact. The firm accompanies them in designing high-impact models and implementing effective internationalisation or investment attraction strategies by working on the construction of differential value proposals, competition analysis, assessment of entry barriers and competitive factors.

Corporate Law:

The firm provides an integrated consultancy in corporate law, commercial contracts, trade intermediation schemes (distribution, commercial agency, etc.), nonprofit organisations, habeas data regime, corporate government and corporate compliance. In the regards mentioned above, it assists investors in the incorporation of legal entities to operate in Colombia, drafting of the corporative bylaws and its reforms, shareholders agreements, corporate governance code, national and international contract structuration, and permanent legal assistance.

Managing Partners: Martín Gustavo Ibarra Pardo, Carolina Ibarra, Andrés Ibarra, Juliana Villegas

Partners: Martín Gustavo Ibarra Pardo, Nicolás Gómez, María Josefina Ibarra Pardo, Patricia Mendoza De Galofre, Olga Lucía Salamanca

Directors: Andrea Caicedo Langhton, Patricia Mendoza De Galofre, Ximena Duque Valencia, Nicolás Gómez, María Josefina Ibarra Pardo, Juliana Villegas Restrepo, Olga Lucía Salamanca

Number of partners: 5

Number of other lawyers: 14