Health & Insurance.

Coomeva, U.S.-Based Christus Charting New Course for Medical Insurance, Coverage

Medellin Herald October 25, 2016

On the heels of finalizing a US$50 million strategic investment deal with U.S.-based Christus Health last month, Colombian health insurer and clinic operator Coomeva is moving to rationalize its service network and shore-up its financially troubled “Coomeva EPS” subsidiary. On a related front,

Tourism

Copa’s Low-Cost ‘Wingo’ Subsidiary Launches Medellin-Panama Service December 2

Medellin Herald October 22, 2016

The new “Wingo” subsidiary of Copa Airlines announced October 20 that on December 2 it will launch four-times-a-week, non-stop service from Medellin’s international airport (MDE) to Panama Pacifico airport. The only other “low-cost” airline flying from MDE to Panama Pacifico — a former U.S. Air Force Base in the Panama Canal zone — is Medellin-based […]

Taxes

Colombia’s Tax Reform Proposal: Better for Business, Investment

Medellin Herald October 20, 2016

Colombia’s Home Minister (Ministro de Hacienda) Mauricio Cardenas on October 19 finally unveiled a long-awaited, 182-pages-long tax reform proposal that would bring business and investment taxes more in-line with international standards — and thus help Colombia attract more investment while creating more “formal” employment as well as more personal income taxes.

Politics

Colombian Congress OK’s COP$224 Trillion/US$76 Billion 2017 Budget

Medellin Herald October 20, 2016

The Colombian national Congress on October 19 approved a 2017 budget of COP$224 trillion (US$76 billion) on the same day that the Home Ministry (Ministerio de Hacienda) proposed a new tax-reform scheme that aims to make Colombia more competitive and attract more investment. According to the government, the newly approved budget – 6.6% larger than the current-year […]

Colombian economy

Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce Hails New Import-Export Tools, Rules

Medellin Herald October 20, 2016

The Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio Colombo Americana) on October 20 hailed recent advances in the “Plan Vallejo” regulatory and reporting scheme that covers imports and exports into-and-out-of Colombia. According to the group (which also calls itself “AmCham Colombia”), the Vallejo Plan now features more-efficient electronic

Colombian economy

Colombia Manufacturing Rebound Strengthens; Up 9.4% Year-on-Year

Medellin Herald October 19, 2016

Colombia’s monthly manufacturing index (“EMM” in Spanish initials) rose 9.4% year-on-year in August 2016 — the latest month for which statistics are available — according to an October 19 report from the national statistics department (Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística-DANE). The recent restart of Ecopetrol’s newly rebuilt “Reficar” refinery

General News

Medellin Moves Closer to Atlantic with Highway Expansions, Proposed Rail Link

Medellin Herald October 13, 2016

Colombia’s Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI, the infrastructure development agency) announced October 12 the opening of another 12.1-kilometers stretch of four-lane divided highway linking Medellin northward to Barbosa, Pradera and other Antioquian towns. The COP$438 billion (US$149 million) project, first launched in 2013, will link to new Atlantic-coast routes

Politics

Medellin, Antioquia Led Colombia to Reject FARC ‘Peace’ Pact

Medellin Herald October 3, 2016

Medellin and Antioquia overwhelmingly voted “no” in the October 2 national plebiscite on whether to ratify a “peace” agreement between Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the narco-terrorist Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). While the “no” vote prevailed nationally by 50.23% versus 49.78% for “yes,” 62% of voters in Antioquia rejected the

Companies

Continental Gold Boosts Investment in Socially Responsible Mining in Antioquia

Medellin Herald September 27, 2016

Toronto, Canada-based Continental Gold on September 26 unveiled its first-ever “sustainability” report outlining efforts in favor of environmentally and socially responsible gold mining – mainly at a US$600 million development project at Buriticá, Antioquia. Industrial-scale gold production at Buriticá is expected start in 2019, averaging 253,000 ounces per year over a

Culture

Medellin’s Philharmonic Orchestra Nominated for Latin Grammy

Medellin Herald September 23, 2016

Medellin’s Philharmonic Orchestra (“Filarmed”) announced September 22 that it has been nominated for a Latin Grammy award for “Best Tango Album” for its live recorded performance last year of the iconic ballads that made Carlos Gardel the world’s most-famous tango singer. The Filarmed recorded the ballads during Medellin’s annual Tango Festival along with Argentinian tango