The Antioquia departmental government announced October 14 that contracts have now been finalized for construction of the 9.75-kilometers-long “Toyo Tunnel” project -- part of a crucial highway connection between Medellin and a new freight port being built on the Caribbean coast.

A just released study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (Cepal, in Spanish initials) finds that Antioquia continues to surpass all other departments in Colombia for institutional management and public finances.

While a growing number of foreigners are investing in real estate or other types of businesses in metro Medellin, some have found that the process of transferring relatively large amounts of investment funds from the U.S. or other countries can be frustratingly complex, time-consuming – and even costly.

A joint study by researchers at the University of Medellin and Spain-based Urbegi University examines how Medellin can tap qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to measure its global “brand” image.

Medellin hosts nearly 1,000 delegates for the 11th Congress on Immunology (“ImmunoColombia 2015”) October 13-16 at the Plaza Mayor conference center – with technical presentations in English.

Medellin investment promotion agency ACI (Agencia de Cooperación e Inversión de Medellín y el Área Metropolitana) announced October 8 that a new “Clúster Aeroespacial Colombiano” (Colombian aeronautical cluster) is becoming a magnet for new business growth in Antioquia.

Tax filing requirements and taxpaying obligations for expat residents, foreign investors, non-resident visitors and even citizens in Colombia raise many questions – which explains the demand for expert accountants and (sometimes) specialized tax lawyers here.

First, the good news: The Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) and Swiss watch and jewelry maker Chopard announced October 7 that several more mines in Colombia -- beyond those in Antioquia -- just obtained “Fairmined” certification under a joint ARM-Chopard project.

National industrial trade association Andi announced that Medellin will host the 11th annual “Colombia Minera” International Mining Fair October 28-30 in the Plaza Mayor conference center.

Medellin-based XM -- Colombia’s national electric-power grid operator and its national wholesale energy-market trading platform – announced October 5 that the “El Niño” drought phenomenon this fall has cut hydropower reserves and consequently has boosted the call upon thermoelectric plants.