ProColombia – the government export and investment promotion agency – announced September 2 the launch of a new business information service in order to boost Colombia’s exports of goods other than petroleum and minerals.

 Medellin-based Sociedad Antioqueña de Ornitología (SAO) announced July 28 that it will host its fourth annual Medellin Bird Festival on October 11-16, 2017, featuring guided birding walks around the city, expert lectures by Colombian and international ornithology researchers and birding excursions to world-famous sites such as Jardin (Antioquia) and Manizales (Caldas).

While I’ve been living in metro Medellin full-time for the past 13 years, I’ve been traveling here off-and-on for more than 30 years, mainly to visit family – especially during the year-end holidays.

The Agencia de Cooperacion e Inversion de Medellin y el Area Metropolitana (ACI, Medellin’s investment promotion agency) announced September 3 during the “Medellin and its International Allies” conference that it has overseen US$26 million worth of cooperative investments in 126 programs under a 2012-2015 development plan.

Foreigners in Medellin – whether they be visitors or permanent residents – have several choices (as well as restrictions) for several types of health insurance or alternatives.

The “Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellin” (MAMM) on September 2 officially inaugurated its new space – covering nearly 10,000 square meters over five floors (double the prior space) -- and featuring new exhibits, a new theater, terraces and commercial spaces.

A new study by the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution found that Medellin surpassed all other Latin American cities in terms of per-capita economic growth  (gross domestic product, or GDP).

A new study by U.S.-based consultant Telecom Advisory Services (TAS) finds that Medellin is in the “vanguard” in Colombia in terms of high-speed internet uptake and other factors that make-up a “digitalization” ranking.

Haceb Whirlpool Inc. (HWI) -- a new joint venture between Antioquia-based household appliance manufacturer Haceb and global “white goods” giant Whirlpool – on August 27 officially launched production of washing machines at a new, US$50 million factory adjacent to Haceb facilities in the Medellin suburb of Copacabana, Antioquia.

EAFIT university and Colombia-based cement producer, power generator and port developer Argos announced August 26 the start-up of “Argos Center,” a new, US$9 million, 4,800-square-meters research facility at the university’s main campus in Medellin.