Editorial

Medellin to Auschwitz and Back: Universal Lessons on Holocausts, Rebirth, Renewal

Medellin Herald May 24, 2017

The people of Medellin, the surrounding Antioquia department and all of Colombia have been the victims of a 60-years-long civil war — provoked mainly by communist guerillas — that has resulted in more than 220,000 documented assassinations, thousands of kidnappings, forcible

Companies

EPM 1Q 2017 Net Income Jumps 460% Year-on-Year

Medellin Herald April 28, 2017

Empresas Publicas de Medellin (EPM) – now a multinational electric power, water, sewer and natural-gas utility – announced April 27 that its first quarter (1Q) 2017 net income soared 460% year-on-year, to COP$606 billion (US$206 million). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) likewise rose 98% year-on-year, to COP$1.1 trillion (US$374

General News

Hidroituango Wins Crucial Transmission Permit: Huge Boost for Medellin, Antioquia

Medellin Herald April 25, 2017

The departmental government of Antioquia announced April 24 that the US$5.5 billion, 2.4-gigawatt “Hidroituango” hydroelectric project finally has won the first two of four power-transmission construction permits from Colombia’s environmental licensing agency (ANLA). The remaining two permits are expected to be issued next month (May 2017), according to Instituto para el

Companies

Cormagdalena Cancels Navelena Contract; Magdalena River Dredging Up for Grabs

Medellin Herald April 18, 2017

Cormagdalena – the Colombian government agency overseeing a massive dredging project for the Magdalena River – announced April 17 that it has officially cancelled Navelena SAS’s contract because of failure to complete financing. The proposed COP$2.5 trillion (US$877 million) project would dramatically improve freight movements along the Magdalena River, making industrial

Companies

Medellin Textile Giants Coltejer, Fabricato Post Net Losses for 2016

Medellin Herald April 18, 2017

Medellin-based textile giants Coltejer and Fabricato posted net losses for full-year 2016 — in contrast to the net profits posted by both companies during 2015. According to the recently released Coltejer annual report, the company’s net loss hit COP$7.7 billion (US$2.7 million) in 2016, versus a COP$7.8 billion (US$2.7 million) net profit in 2015. Financial […]

Expats Corner

More Expats Proving You Can Broaden Careers, Raise Young Families in Medellin

Medellin Herald April 9, 2017

Not long ago, about the only expats seen here in Medellin for relatively long-term stays were 30-something digital nomads or else retirees from North America or Europe seeking first-world amenities, fine weather, good health care, friendly people and bargain prices. But this stereotypical notion of the Medellin expat is starting to change as more mid-career […]

Colombian economy

Antioquia’s Exports Rise 14.7% in 2017, Colombia Up 16%: DANE

Medellin Herald April 4, 2017

The latest report from Colombia’s economic statistics agency (DANE) shows that Antioquia’s exports rose 14.7% year-on-year in the first two months of 2017 — and Antioquia likewise continues to surpass all Colombian departments in total share of exports, at 19.4%. The single biggest reason for the big boost in Antioquia exports was the rise in […]

General News

Metro de Medellin Ridership Soars Above 1 Million Daily; Helps Cut Air Pollution

Medellin Herald April 4, 2017

Medellin’s world-famous “Metro” public transit system including electric rail, aerial tram, road tram, bus rapid transit (BRT) and free bicycles at Metro stations is breaking all-time records for public use – and now aims to help cut a worrisome growth in vehicle air pollution. According to Metro’s latest sustainability report (released March 31), average ridership […]

Economy & Finance

Export Sectors Boost Antioquia’s Economy: Banco del la Republica

Medellin Herald March 22, 2017

Colombia’s Banco de la Republica (BR, the state bank) found in a new study that Medellin and the surrounding Antioquia department are generally out-performing the national economy, especially in certain export sectors. In its latest report comparing fourth-quarter (4Q) 2016 to 2015, BR concludes that “the economy of Antioquia in the fourth quarter [2016] exhibited […]

Companies

Medellin-Based Gold Mining Giant Mineros Sees 2016 Profits Jump 36%

Medellin Herald March 22, 2017

Medellin-based gold miner Mineros SA announced March 22 that its full-year 2016 profit rose 36% year-on-year, to COP$98.8 billion (US$33.8 million), while sales in Colombia rose 8.3%, to COP$382 billion (US$130.7 million). While most of the company’s gold mining operations are in Antioquia, the “Hemco” division in Nicaragua saw gold output rise 20.7% last year, […]