Colombian economy

Coffee Helps Colombia’s 2017 Exports Rebound, but Manufacturing Lags

Medellin Herald September 29, 2017

The latest report from Colombia’s national economic statistics agency (DANE – Departamento Administrative Nacional de Estadistica) shows that Colombian exports through August 2017 are up 15.7% year-on-year and 19.5% for the first eight months of 2017. Antioquia once again leads all departments

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 Plaza Mayor convention center, Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos recounted

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 […]

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

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”

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 […]

Companies

Compañía de Empaques Sees 1H 2017 Profits Drop

Medellin Herald August 24, 2017

Medellin-based Compañía de Empaques – makers of fibers for industrial, agricultural, construction and infrastructure sectors – announced this month that its first-half (1H) net profits fell to COP$1.96 billion (US$662,000), compared to COP$13.5 billion (US$4.5 million) in 1H 2016. While sales rose year-on-year — to COP$193 billion (US$65 million) in 1H 2017 versus