Expats Corner

Colombia Ranked 8th Among 65 Countries for Best Expat Living

Medellin Herald September 20, 2017

Germany-based InterNations announced this month that Colombia ranks eighth among 65 countries for best expat living – a jump upward of 12 places, compared to its rank of 20th in 2016. However, Colombia ranked a relatively poor 31st for working abroad. In the survey of 13,000 respondents

Companies

USAID, Mineros SA Boost Beekeeping Project to Convert Irregular Miners to Legitimate Business

Medellin Herald September 20, 2017

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Medellin-based gold-mining giant Mineros SA jointly announced September 20 that they’re boosting funds and technical aid to formerly artisanal or illegal miners in the Bajo Cauca region of Antioquia. “The productive and commercial capacity of beekeepers of Bajo Cauca will be strengthened thanks to the agreement

Congresses & Conferences

Expo Agrofuturo Draws 25,000; Deals top US$300 Million; ‘Green’ Tech Arising

Medellin Herald September 16, 2017

Medellin-based Agrofuturo announced September 15 that the just-concluded 11th edition of “Expo Agrofuturo” drew more than 25,000 attendees from 30 countries and generated approximately US$300 million in business deals, up nearly a third from last year’s show. The trade show at Medellin’s Plaza Mayor convention center brought together 420 local and international companies

General News

Devimar Wins Enviro Permits for Crucial ‘Mar 1’ Highway Project in Antioquia

Medellin Herald September 15, 2017

Medellin-based highway concessionaire Devimar announced September 13 that it has obtained two vital environmental licenses that pave the way for construction of the “Autopista al Mar-1” divided highway linking Medellin westward toward current and future Atlantic ports. The project also will include construction of a second tunnel parallel to the existing “Tunel del

Companies

Gran Colombia Gold Hails Strike Settlement; Continental Gold Launches Ag Aid

Medellin Herald September 5, 2017

Toronto, Canada-based Gran Colombia Gold announced September 5 that a violent strike by illegal gold miners in the Antioquian municipalities of Segovia and Remedios is finally over – benefitting more than 2,500 legal miners affiliated with the company. The 42-days-long strike resulted in several deaths, widespread vandalism and economic suffering for thousands of residents

Colombian economy

Medellin Industrial Production Drops 6.8% in First-Half 2017

Medellin Herald September 1, 2017

The latest report from Colombia’s national Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE) shows that industrial production in metropolitan Medellin dropped 10% year-on-year in second quarter (2Q) 2017 and has fallen 6.8% through first-half (1H) 2017 (see chart, above). A sharp drop in textiles output (down 25%) and a 19.8% drop in “other manufactured goods”

Congresses & Conferences

SAO Celebrates 5th Annual Medellin Bird Festival October 3-8, 2018

Medellin Herald August 31, 2017

The Sociedad Antioqueña de Ornitologia (SAO, the Medellin ornithological society) announced September 19 that the fifth annual “Festival de las Aves de Medellin” will take flight October 3 to October 8. All local Festival programs — including lectures by national and international experts, special learning workshops and guided, local bird walks — are free. But

Companies

Orbis Trims Net Losses for 2Q 2017 Year-on-Year

Medellin Herald August 24, 2017

Medellin-based paints, chemicals, hardware supplies and pipe manufacturer Grupo Orbis this month posted a second-quarter 2017 net loss of COP$1.5 billion (US$504,000), an improvement over the COP$11 billion (US$3.7 million) net loss in 2Q 2017. Sales improved slightly in 2Q 2017 to COP$369 billion (US$124 million), versus COP$366.9 billion (US$123 million) in 2Q 2016,

Companies

Familia SA 2Q 2017 Profits Soar Year-on-Year

Medellin Herald August 24, 2017

Medellin-based multinational personal hygiene products manufacturer Familia SA announced this month that its second quarter (2Q) 2017 net profits soared to COP$51 billion (US$17 million), up from a COP$51 billion (US$17 million) net loss in 2Q 2016. Sales also rose in 2Q 2017, to COP$583 billion (US$196 million), versus COP$570 billion (US$191 million) in 2Q […]

Companies

Enka 1H 2017 Profits Fall Year-on-Year; Coltejer Losses Mount

Medellin Herald August 24, 2017

Medellin-based Enka de Colombia – producer of fibers and filaments including nylon and polyester – this month reported that its first-half (1H) 2017 net profits fell to COP$1.9 billion (US$641,000), down sharply from COP$9.3 billion (US$3 million ) in 1H 2016. Sales also dropped year-on-year, to COP$84.8 billion (US$28.6 million) in 1H 2017, versus COP$92.5 […]