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

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

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

Companies

Medellin-Based Agua Bendita Founders Win Prestigious Global Entrepreneur Prize

Medellin Herald September 15, 2016

Agua Bendita – founded by Medellin natives Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza – on September 12 joined the winners circle in Massachusetts-based Endeavor’s ‘International Selection Panel’ (ISP) entrepreneurship prize for 2016. The company – which now operates in 50 countries besides Colombia – “creates hand-made, premium swimwear by incorporating modern techniques and

Politics

Colombia Government, FARC Ink Final ‘Peace’ Deal

Medellin Herald August 25, 2016

The Colombian government and leaders of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) announced August 24 that they finalized a “peace” deal that supposedly would put an end to more than 50 years of a war – a war that began with Soviet Union backing but gradually evolved into narco-terrorist war against Latin America’s oldest […]

Companies

Corona: Born in Antioquia 135 Years Ago, Now a Multinational Giant

Medellin Herald August 23, 2016

Colombia-based Corona — manufacturer of porcelain products, construction goods and majority partner in the “Home Center” retail chain — on August 18 celebrated the 135th birthday of its founding in the Medellin suburb of Caldas, Antioquia. According to the company, Organizacion Corona traces its roots to 1881, originally as a ceramic dish-wear producer at a

Colombian economy

Colombia’s Free-Trade Zones See 85% Jump in Exports

Medellin Herald August 23, 2016

Colombia’s national statistics agency (Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística, DANE) announced August 22 that exports from various free-trade zones (“zonas francas”) soared 85.7% year-on-year in June 2016, boosted by favorable peso-to-dollar exchange rates. According to DANE, the June 2016 export jump is the largest recorded since 2011 (see chart,

Companies

PharmaCielo Buys Marijuana Farm, Nursery in Rionegro

Medellin Herald July 25, 2016

Toronto, Canada-based PharmaCielo announced July 25 that it paid US$5 million plus 1.7 million in equity shares for a 27-hectares farm and greenhouse-nursery facility in Rionegro, Antioquia, for development of a medical-marijuana cultivation and processing plant. “The 30-year-old turnkey facility houses an office building and more than 12 hectares of open-air greenhouses,

Colombian economy

Truckers, Colombia Government Settle National Strike

Medellin Herald July 22, 2016

Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos and Transport Minister Jorge Eduardo Rojas Giraldo announced July 22 that a 45-days-long national truckers’ strike – aggravated by acts of violence and vandalism against non-strikers — has finally been settled, much to the relief of freight shippers and receivers. According to the settlement agreement, the