Economy & Finance

Power Generators, Transporters, Utilities Warned of Big Changes Coming at Medellin Event

Medellin Herald September 27, 2017

At a September 26 event celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Medellin-based ISA — Colombia’s national electric-power transmission operator and power-market trading hub – speakers praised ISA for revolutionizing and rationalizing Colombia’s power industry. In a speech here at Medellin’s

General News

ANI Announces Influx of Foreign Investors for Antioquia’s ‘Pacifico 2’ Highway

Medellin Herald September 27, 2017

Colombia’s national infrastructure agency (Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura, ANI) announced September 26 that two big investment banks based in Britain and Canada inked deals to help finance the “Pacifico 2” fourth generation (4G) highway project in Antioquia. According to ANI, Britain-based ING Capital LLC and Canada-based CDPW Revenue Fixe (the Quebec provincial

Profiles

Alliances Growing for Medellin Expat Exporters; Specialty Niches Key to Success

Medellin Herald September 25, 2017

Thirty-five-year-old New Zealand expat Dan Cardiff and 47-year-old Dutch expat Ronald de Hommel seemingly would have little in common — aside from both now living in Medellin and both having launched separate, Colombian-export businesses here. But despite having been born and raised on opposite sides of the planet — and with wildly different careers prior […]

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 worldwide, Bahrain took the number-one spot for best […]

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