A US$260 million bond float successfully organized by U.S.-based Goldman Sachs represents a big boost for Colombia’s massive “fourth generation” (4G) highway construction projects, which aim to overcome decades of logistical isolation from world markets.

Toronto-based PharmaCielo announced February 3 that it has petitioned Colombia’s Ministry of Health and the National Council on Narcotics for rights to build a marijuana farm and cannabis extract plant in the Medellin suburb of Rionegro, Antioquia.

Colombia’s national infrastructure development agency (ANI) announced in late January that progress is being made on crucial “fourth generation” (4G) highway projects (totaling COP$12 trillion/US$3.5 billion) in Antioquia, as well as the just-approved “Port Antioquia” ocean freight project.

Medellin-based XM -- Colombia’s free-market electric-power trading organization – announced February 2 that despite the “El Niño” drought phenomenon that has cut hydropower capacity, thermoelectric generators have more-than taken-up the slack.

Some 500 million Colombian flowers are expected to be exported in the run-up to February 14 (Valentine’s Day) – most of which will go to the United States, according to Asocolflores, the Colombia trade association of flower producers.

The 28th annual Colombiatex textile-industry conference and trade show at Medellin’s Plaza Mayor convention center January 26-28 not only surpassed expectations in terms of business deals, trade-show space, new technologies, expert insights and fashion shows.

Colombia’s national infrastructure agency (ANI in Spanish initials) announced January 26 that financial close has now been achieved for the COP$1.1 trillion (US$324.8 million) “Autopista 4G Conexion Norte” highway project linking Medellin north-eastward to Atlantic coast highways.

The latest consumer-generated survey results compiled by global database analyst Numbeo find that Medellin is a relative bargain compared to other major cities in South America, while Medellin’s health-care system quality is ranked best in all of the Americas.

A new report from Colombia’s national federation of local Chambers of Commerce (Confecamaras) shows that while the growth of Colombia’s gross domestic product (“PIB” in Spanish initials) slipped in 2015 versus 2014, Antioquia continued to support a relatively robust growth of new businesses.

The 28th annual “Colombiatex” textile industry conference and trade show January 26-28 at Medellin’s Plaza Mayor convention center is expected to draw some 33,000 national and international visitors, more than 500 exhibitors and some 11,000 buyers.