Medellin’s world-famous “Metro” transit system – featuring electric railcars, electric roadway trams, electric aerial tramways carrying passengers up steep mountainsides, natural-gas-powered bus rapid transit (BRT) systems and free bicycles adjacent to Metro stations – mobilized 258 million passengers in 2015, up 9.8% year-on-year.

ProColombia – the national government’s export promotion agency – on March 16 touted Medellin-based, high-tech-sensor maker Ubidots as an outstanding example of successful international business development.

On the heels of reporting a 60% jump in profits last year, Medellin-based gold miner Minerors SA released its latest annual “sustainability” report showing that company-wide environmental spending rose to COP8.96 billion (US$2.9 million) in 2015, up from COP6.79 billion (US$2.2 million) in 2014.

Bancolombia – already Colombia’s biggest bank and now operating in 10 countries in Latin America – on March 9 reported a 21% year-on-year (y-o-y) jump in fourth quarter (4Q) 2015 net income, to COP656 billion (US$207.9 million).

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced March 4 the launch of “Oro Legal” projects aiming to promote environmentally and socially responsible gold mining in Antioquia and Chocó departments.

Medellin-based national power generator Isagen reported March 3 that its full-year 2015 net income dipped 17% year-on-year (y-o-y), to COP297 billion (US$93 million), due to higher taxes and higher costs for dollar-denominated debt that financed construction of its new, 805-megawatt (MW) “Sogamoso” hydroelectric plant.

Medellin-based textile manufacturer Fabricato revealed February 24 in a filing with the Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia that its fourth quarter (4Q) net income rose to COP4.9 billion (US$1.5 million), up from a net loss of COP11.6 billion (-US$3.6 million) in 4Q 2014.

The Medellin-based national trade association for Colombia’s banana growers (“Asociacion de Bananeros de Colombia,” also known as “Augura”) announced March 2 that 2015 exports jumped 14% year-on-year (y-o-y), to 94 million 20-kilogram (kg) boxes.

Medellin-based construction industry giants Conconcreto and Construcciones El Condor both reported March 1 that revenues and profits are soaring thanks to recent, current and future launches of giant construction projects including the “fourth generation” (4G) highways and related ocean freight ports.

Medellin-based supermarket and retail chain Grupo Exito announced March 1 that its full-year 2015 consolidated revenues skyrocketed by 219% thanks to recent acquisitions in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, in addition to continuing growth in Colombia.