Colombia provides a competitive investment environment and business opportunities for foreign investors. It has experienced strong and stable economic growth in recent years, with GDP growth above 4% annually from 2013-2014. Colombia also has low inflation, controlled debt levels, and investment grade credit ratings. The country aims to further improve its business climate by pursuing OECD membership and implementing recommended reforms. Colombia has seen rising foreign direct investment inflows in recent years, reaching a record high in 2014 outside of the oil and mining sectors.

1. Colombia
Investment Environment and
Business Opportunities in
Colombia
2015

2. About us
PROCOLOMBIA
We promote exports, tourism, investment and industrial expansion for
internationalization. We integrate the work of the Country Brand within the
strategic planning of Colombia’s promotion worldwide.

3. Presence in Colombia
25
Regional Offices8
Information centers
Barranquilla, Bogotá.
Bucaramanga. Cali. Cartagena.
Cúcuta. Medellín. Pereira
Valledupar. Pasto. Palmira. Armenia = Universidad
Gran Colombia – Cámara de Comercio.
Villavicencio. Boyacá = Tunja - Duitama - Sogamoso.
Ibagué. Santa Marta. San Andrés. Aburrá Sur. Neiva.
Barranquilla = Cámara comercio – Universidad del
Norte. Cartagena. Medellín. Bucaramanga. Cali =
Cámara de Comercio. Pereira. Bogotá. Manizales.
Cúcuta.

4. PROCOLOMBIA around the world
United States. Canada. Mexico. Guatemala. Costa Rica.
Caribbean. Venezuela. Brazil. Ecuador. Chile. Peru. Argentina.
Spain. Germany. Portugal. United Kingdom. France. Turkey.
United Arab Emirates. India. China. South Korea. Russia. Japan.
Singapore. Indonesia.
26 commercial offices
Presence in 30 countries

5. PROCOLOMBIA Services

6. PROCOLOMBIA Services

7. PROCOLOMBIA Services

8. General Facts
Colombia is the country with
the highest biodiversity per
km2
It is among the 17most megadiverse
countries of the planet.

55%
of the population is less than 30
years old. There are nine cities
with over 500 thousand people.
With an extension of
1,141,000 km2 almost 3 times
the size of California and twice the size of
Texas.
Colombia is the only
country in South America
with access to both, the
Atlantic and the Pacific
ocean.

9. Times of great economic achievements
GDP2014: +4.6%
GDP 2013: +4.9%
Higher than the Latin American average
growth (1.3%).
Controlled
Inflation 2014: 3.66%
Below target inflation
Unemployment rate 2014: 9.1%
Unemployment rate 2013: 9.6%.
FDI 2014: US$16,053
FDI2013: US$ 16,200
Figures in US Millions
1.02 million of oil barrel daily
3rd oil producer in the region

10. A competitive location with easy access
to markets around the globe
Mexico City
4H45M
Los Angeles
8H20M
Quito
1H30M
Lima
3H00M
Peru
Ecuador
México
United States
Canada
Brazil
ArgentinaChile
Spain
France
Germany
Over 919 weekly direct international flights.
More than 5,896 weekly domestic flights.
Less than 6 hours to the main capital cities in
Latin America.
More than 20 different airlines
operating in Colombia.
New York
5H35M
Toronto
6H05M
Caracas
1H20M
Santiago
Chile
5H00M
Buenos Aires
6H15M
Sao Paulo
5H45M
Madrid
9H40M
Paris
10H40M
Frankfurt
11H15M

11. The second largest spanish speaking country in the
world and among the 30 most populated
204.5
120.8
91.6 87.1 81.1
64.2
50.7 48.0
35.8 31.9 31.0 23.9 17.9 10.6 9.8 8.6 8.2 8.1 7.3 5.5 5.2 4.6
Population 2015*
Million
Source: DANE, 2015; EIU – FMI. 2015.

12. Colombia is within the 30th largest economy in the
world and one of the largest non-OECD economies
150
226
302
300
397
425
373
432
448
387
401
415
595
600
1,089
1,176
1,790
2,324
New Zealand
Denmark
Israel
Norway
Peru
Hong Kong
Chile
Sweden
Belgium
Singapore
Switzerland
Vietnam
Colombia
Malaysia
Australia
Mexico
Brazil
Germany
GDP at PPP – 2015 en
US$ Billion
Note: GDP adapted to Purchasing
Power Parity PPP. Projected data.
Source: FMI . 2014

13. The highest growth in 2014 among Latam’s major
economies
Gross Domestic Product Growth, 2014
High investment in housing and infrastructure (12% growth)
Growth in private consumption (4.6%)
Solid labor market
Public expenditure
Colombian growth
drivers according to
OECD
*For Colombia data, corresponds to real GDP growth reported for 2014
according to DANE.
For the rest of L.A data corresponds to the estimated growth for 2014
according to IMF (World Economic Outlook Update – April 2014).
4.6%*
2.4% 2.1% 1.8%
1.3%
0.5%
0.1%
-4.0%
Latin America and
Caribbean (Average
growth)

14. Peru and Colombia, the top growing economies in the
coming years
Source: IMF (World Economic Outlook – April 2015)
e = estimated
Gross Domestic Product, average growth
2015e
3.8%
3.4%
3.0%
2.7%
0.9%
-1.0%
-0.3%
-7.0%

15. Low inflation
Source: IMF (World Economic Outlook – April 2015)
* The average doesn’t include Venezuela and Argentina
* For Colombia data corresponds to real inflation reported for 2014 according to
DANE. For the rest of L.A data corresponds to the expected inflation for 2014
2.9%
3.7% 4.0% 4.2%
6.2%
69.8%
2.2%
3.6% 3.1% 2.9%
8.0%
98.5%
Peru Colombia Mexico Chile Brazil Venezuela
Latin America and
Caribbean (Average
growth) 2014:
3,64%
2014
2015
Inflation, percent variation
2014, 2015e

16. Macroeconomic stability and strong economic
performance in the long term
P: Projected
Source: DANE; Banco de la República;
Forecasted data source: FMI, April 2015
Inflation
GDP
Unemployment rate
15.6
14.1 13.7
11.8 12.0
11.2 11.3
12.0 11.8
10.8 10.4
9.6
7.0 6.5
5.5
4.9 4.5
5.7
7.7
2.0
3.7
2.4 1.9
3.7
9.1 9.0 8.9 8.9 8.9
3.7 3.6 3.2 3.0 3.0
2.5
3.9
5.3
4.7
6.7 6.9
3.5
1.7
4.0
6.6
4.0
4.9 4.6
3.4 3.7 4.0 4.2
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015p 2016p 2017p 2018p
GDP Growth, Inflation and unemployment Rate 2002 –
2018p (%)

17. Colombia has continuously decreased its poverty
levels
Source: Poverty: National Administrative Department of Statistics – DANE
Middle class: The gained decade: the evolution of the middle class in Colombia between 2002 and 2011.
Documento CEDE # 50. Universidad de los Andes. And RADDAR for 2013 data.
50%
31%
28%
18%
9%
8%
16%
30%
2002 2003 2004 2005 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Poverty
Middle class
Extreme poverty
Percentage of people in poverty
2002 – 2014

18. A rapidly expanding middle class
2.9%
4.1%
4.2%
4.7%
5.5%
Average real growth of consumer
expenditure, 2014 – 2018
Middle class* in Colombia as a percentage
of total population
16%
25%
37%
46%
2002 2012 2020 2025
24.7
6.7
11.6
19.0
Million
inhabitants
* Calculus based on a 4.6% GDP growth
Middle class: Monthly household income between 3.2MW and 13MW
(MW) Minimum wage in Colombia 2014: USD 320.
Source: Fedesarrollo (2013) and Euromonitor

19. Significant progress in terms of purchasing
power Index of GDP per capita at current prices, 1999 – 2019e
1999=100
Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook, April 2015
e = estimated
332.4
366.5
235.6
301.9
230.2
246.9
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014e2015e2016e2017e2018e2019e
Colombia Latinamerica World

20. Economic growth, Investor Confidence and Security
* Figures do not include FDI registered for SabMiller adquisition of Bavaria in 2005 (USD 4,800 MM).
** Perception of insecurity as a key issue affecting industrial growth in the country. Monthly Industrial
Survey -ANDI.
Source: National Business Association of Colombia - ANDI. Balance of Payments – Banco de la República.
00
05
10
15
20
25
30
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
2000-I
2000-II
2000-III
2000-IV
2001-I
2001-II
2001-III
2001-IV
2002-I
2002-II
2002-III
2002-IV
2003-I
2003-II
2003-III
2003-IV
2004-I
2004-II
2004-III
2004-IV
2005-I
2005-II
2005-III
2005-IV
2006-I
2006-II
2006-III
2006-IV
2007-I
2007-II
2007-III
2007-IV
2008-I
2008-II
2008-III
2008-IV
2009-I
2009-II
2009-III
2009-IV
2010-I
2010-II
2010-III
2010-IV
2011-I
2011-II
2011-III
2011-IV
2012-I
2012-II
2012-III
2012-IV
2013-I
2013-II
2013-III
2013-IV
2014-I
2014-II
2014-III
2014-IV
IED - US$ million* Insecurity perception**

21. Colombia, an investment-grade
country with positive outlook
Source: S&P Ratings; Revista Dinero, Colombian Treasury.
Rating PerspectiveTerm
Long Term –
Foreign currency
Long Term –
Foreign currency
Long Term –
Foreign currency
BBB
BBB
Baa2
Stable
Positive
Stable
In July 2014, Moody´s was the last rating agency in improving Colombia´s rating due to two key drivers:
1. Positive growth forecast thanks to 4G infrastructure
2. A sound fiscal management that will continue in the future

22. Colombia tops the region as the best country for doing
business in 2015
19
Colombia, 34*
Peru, 35 *
-1
Mexico, 39 *
+4
-2
Chile, 41 *
+3
Panama, 52 *
Position out of 189 economies
Change in rank 2014 – 2015**
0
Ecuador, 115 *
+3
Brasil, 120 *
Source: Doing Business Report 2015. World Bank
* Position between 189 economies. ** Positive numbers indicate an improvement in the business environment

23. Colombia is the leader in terms of Investor Protection in
the region and 10th worldwide.
Source: Doing Business 2015 – World Bank
* Índex: 0-10 and 10 = the best score
7.2
6.3 6.2
5.8 5.8 5.8 5.6
4.8 4.7
4.2
Colombia
Brazil
Peru
Chile
Mexico
Argentina
Panama
Uruguay
Ecuador
ElSalvador
Ranking Country
10 Colombia
35 Brazil
40 Peru
56 Chile
62 Mexico
62 Argentina
76 Panama
110 Uruguay
117 Ecuador
154 El Salvador
Investment Protection Index
Doing Business - 2015

24. “The OCDE
investment policy
review examines
Colombia's
achievements in
developing an open
and transparent
investment regime
and its efforts to
reduce restrictions on
international
investment” OECD
As an adherent to the Declaration, Colombia:
Colombia was officially invited on May 2013 to initiate
the process to become full member of the OECD
Source: OECD
Colombia is implementing the roadmap to become full
member of the OECD
Colombia participates in the OECD Investment Committee and is working for
participating in the OECD Trade Committee among others. With the OCDE
Declaration on Multinational Enterprises :
1
2
An harmonized instrument for National Treatment is established
for investors and investments in OECD countries.
Several recommendations are recognized and adopted by OECD
countries for promoting responsible business conduct in
multinational enterprises.
Once Colombia become full member of the OECD, the country will have access to
the best technical advisory in development policies and shall be evaluated in
accordance with high economic and social policy standards. It represents an
opportunity for reviewing and improving the public policies in Colombia looking for
a better climate for business and economic development.

25. Low barriers to FDI
AVERAGE ALL
OECD average
0.000
0.050
0.100
0.150
0.200
0.250
0.300
0.350
0.400
0.450
China
Myanmar
SaudiArabia
Indonesia
Jordan
India
NewZealand
Malaysia
Mexico
Tunisia
Russia
Canada
Iceland
Kazakhstan
Korea
Australia
Israel
Ukraine
Austria
Brazil
Mongolia
Peru
UnitedStates
Norway
Switzerland
KyrgyzRepublic
Poland
Morocco
Egypt
UnitedKingdom
Turkey
Sweden
Chile
SouthAfrica
Japan*
Italy
CostaRica
SlovakRepublic
Latvia
France
Ireland
Lithuania
Belgium
Argentina
Denmark
Greece
Hungary
Colombia
Germany
Spain
Finland
Estonia
Netherlands
CzechRepublic
Romania
Slovenia
Portugal
Luxembourg
FDI regulatory restrictiveness index, 2013
Closed = 1; Open = 0
Source: OECD

26. Two years in a row as one of the top 20 destinations
for FDI
Top 20 host economies in 2012
USD billion
Top 20 host economies in 2013
USD billion
18
19
Source: UNCTAD – World Investment Report 2013 and 2014

27. In 2014, Colombia had a new record of FDI in
sectors different from oil & Mining.
Source: Balance of Payments - Banco de la República.
Share of all countries with positive cumulative investment, The information includes reinvested
profits or investments in the oil sector
Note: the list of the top countries investing in Colombia does not include Panama.
Top Investing Countries in
Colombia 2000– 2014
FDI Inflows. 2008 –2014
US$ million
United States
•US$ 27,499 million
•22%
United Kingdom
•US$ 16,826 million
•13.5%
Spain
•US$ 10,437 million
•8.4%
Switzerland
•US$ 7,440 million
•6%
Oil and mining
Other sectors
3,107
7,468 7,095
8,111
9,634
5,236
7,180 7,945
8,089
6,419
Average 2008-2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
16,05416,200
15,039
14,648
8,343

28. During the last years, the stock of Colombia’s
outward FDI keeps its positive trend.
Source: Banrep, 2015
Source TOP three Latin American investors: EIU, 2015
Stock of outward FDI
1994 – 2014, US$ million
3,652
43,561
1994 - 2002 1994 - 2014
7,652
3,899
2013 2014
FDI Outflows
2013– 2014, US$ million
Chile
US$ 11,949
Mexico
US$ 7,610
Colombia
US$ 3,899
Top three Latin American investors to the world (2014)
USD million
United States
US$ 7,583 million
17.4%
United Kingdom
US$ 6,013 million
13.8%
Panama
US$ 7,175 million
16.5%
Peru
US$ 2,892 million
6.6 %
Stock of outward FDI, 1994-2014
Main countries

29. Important multinationals have recently chosen
Colombia as a location for new projects
The multinational Unilever, opened one of its most advanced
detergent plant worldwide, through which it seeks to supply
domestic and foreign markets
Hewlett Packard, the North American multinational in
information technology, opened a global service center in
Medellin.
Japanese fiber optic cable manufacturer, Furukawa, opened a
production plant in Palmira, Valle del Cauca in order to take
advantage of Colombia’s FTA´s.
Mexichem invested a total of US$ 24 million to increase its
production capacity in Colombia.
Hero Motors invested in a production plant in Cauca, for
covering Colombian market with a possibility of reaching
Brazilian market from Colombia.

30. Some examples of high profile Colombian
“multilatinas”
One of the largest food companies in
Colombia, Nutresa has presence in 12
countries in Latam, with manufacturing
plants in 8 of them.
Recently, the company signed an
agreement to acquire 100% of the shares
in Tresmontes Lucchetti S. A. in
Chile for USD 758 million.
SURA Brand is currently well known in the
insurance, pension and investment fund business
through its operations in Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and
Chile.
In 2011, the group bought ING assets in Latin
America for USD $ 3,614 million.
It is the largest financial conglomerate in Colombia.
The Group has subsidiaries in El Salvador,
Panama, and Puerto Rico.
In 2012, Bancolombia acquired 100% of the
ordinary shares and 90.9% of the preferred shares of
HSBC Bank in Panama.

31. Some examples of high profile Colombian
“multilatinas”
Carvajal SA, is a conglomerate with
presence in 15 countries and
recognized for its role in the field of
packaging, stationery, design and
advertising.
In 2013, Carvajal S.A made an
investment of $ 23.7 million for the
construction of a manufacturing and
distribution center in Peru.
Colombiana SA is one of the country's leading
companies in the production and marketing of
sweets, chocolate and biscuits.
The company has strengthened its international
strategy with the opening of 11 branches
throughout the Americas and has a production
plant in Guatemala to supply the American market.
Tecnoquímicas is specialized in heath products and
services, personal care and household cleaning,
processed foods, and agricultural and veterinary
products in Colombia and Latin America.
The company has direct presence in Central
America through its 3 production plants in El
Salvador.

32. Total trade increased fourfold in the last 10
years.
24,915
25,151
24,671
27,008
33,475
42,395
50,553
62,888
77,295
65,683
80,502
111,628
118,758
118,219
118,824
200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014
Total International Trade (X+M)
United States
•Exports: US$ 14,106million
•Imports: US$ 18,193 million
China
•Exports: US$ 5,755 million
•Imports: US$ 11,790 million
Mexico
Exports: US $914 million
Imports: US$ 5,273 million
India
•Exports: US $2,739 million
•Imports: US$ 1,369 million
Exports and Imports.
2000 – 2014 US$ million
Top commercial partners 2014
Source: DANE.
Traditional and non traditional exports are included

33. During the last 10 years, Colombia
increased threefold its exports
Source: DANE
Traditional and Non – traditional products are included
Exports. 2000 – 2014
FOB Values US$ millions
Top export non – traditional products
2014
United States
25.7%
China
10.5%
Panama
6.6%
Spain
6%
Fresh Flowers
2.5%
Plastic in primary
forms
1.9%
Banana
1.5%
13,158
16,730
24,391
37,626
56,954 58,822
54,795
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

34. Imports also have increased rapidly.
Source: DANE
Top imports by origin 2014Imports 2000 – 2014
CIF Values - US$ million
11,757
21,204
39,666
32,891
54,233
59,397
64,028
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
United States
28.7%
China
18%
Mexico
8.1%
Germany
3.9%
Oil & its derivatives
11.7%
Vehicles
7.5%
Telecommunications
and sound
7%

35. Colombia has access to more than 45 countries and
1,500 million consumers through its network of Trade
Agreements
Source: Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. 2015.
*These are Partial Scope Agreements (PSA)
- - - The dotted line refers to member countries of The Pacific Alliance other than
Colombia. – Chile, Peru and México.
Canada
United States
Mexico
Guatemala
Honduras
El Salvador
Ecuador
Brazil
Peru
Argentina
Paraguay
Uruguay
Liechtenstein
Switzerland
Island Norway
European
Union
Turkey
Israel
Japan
Panama
Chile
Bolivia
Costa Rica
Venezuela*
Pacific
Alliance
South Korea
Cuba*
Nicaragua*
In force
Signed
In negotiation

36. International Investment Agreements - IIA
Source: Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. 2015.
Canada
United States
Mexico
Guatemala
Honduras
El Salvador
Peru
Switzerland
Turkey
Japan
Chile
Note: The International investment agreements (IIA) include Agreement Investment
Treaties – BIT (agreement) and Free Trade Agreements – FTA- with investment section
(chapter).
Spain
China
India
United
Kingdom
Kuwait
Singapore
Azerbaijan
Qatar
Russia
France
UAE
In force
Signed
In negotiation
Costa Rica
South Korea
Israel
Panama
Pacific
Alliance

37. Double Taxation Agreements - DTA
Canada
Mexico
Peru
Switzerland
Japan
Chile
South Korea
Spain
India
Belgium
France
Czech Republic
PortugalUnited States
Bolivia
Ecuador
Netherlands
In force
Signed
In negotiation
United Kingdom
Source: Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism and Ministry of Finances. 2015.
Germany

38. Colombia: A gateway to the Pacific Alliance
Source: MCIT, 2013
GDP of USD 2,123 billion
The members generate 35% of
the region´s GDP
Population of 214 million
Almost Brazil´s Population
47% of the regional FDI
Total FDI of US$ 85,488
million (2013)
FTAs with 60 countries
Access to benefits of
markets that represent
85.7% of the World GDP
Mexico
Colombia
Peru
Chile
MILA is the first cross border initiative to integrate equities
markets, without any sort of merger or global corporate
integration, using only technological tools along with
Listed companies: 590

39. 1,591,120 1,726,300
1,967,814
254,403
306,694
314,207583,609
561,815
597,522
1,062,682
1,153,248
1,313,200
2012 2013 2014
Foreigns non resident in Colombia Cruise visitors
Resident Colombians abroad Special Cross Borders
Total 2012
3,491,814
Total 2013
3,748,957
Total 2014
4,192,743
Colombia is more attractive for
international travelers
Inbound tourist 2012 - 2014
Source: Migration Colombia and MinCIT. PROCOLOMBIA calculation
Main origin countries 2014
United States
• 376,410 visitors
• 19.1%
Venezuela
• 272,700 visitors
• 13.9%
Ecuador
• 126,714 visitors
• 6,4%
Brazil
• 124,712 visitors
• 6.3%

40. Sectors of opportunity – Energy: A diversified source base
and a pivotal location in the Americas
Source: World Economic Forum 2014 and UPME
* UPME (Colombian Planning Unit of Mines and Energy)
0.66
0.67
0.67
0.7
0.71
0.72
0.72
0.72
0.73
0.75
Latvia
Costa Rica
Spain
Colombia
Denmark
Switzerland
Sweden
France
New Zealand
Norway
The Global Energy Architecture Performance
Index 2014
Colombia was ranked first in
Latin America and seventh in the
world according to the “Energy
Architecture Performance Index
2014”. WEF, 2014.
103 Power Generation projects in
different stages: Installed capacity of
4,974 MW*
13 power transmission projects in
different stages*
High potential in Biofuels and
alternative energies

41. Source: Ministry of Transport
Fourth Generation of PPP’S (4g) –
Roads: US$ 24 Bill.
-Intervention of 8.000 Km of Roads
- 1.300 Km of new Roads
- 40 new concessions
Ports: US$ 2.1 Bill.
(2015-2018)
Improvement of the
Magdalena river
navigability:
US$ 1.3 Bill.
Airports: interventions US$ 1.8 Bill
(10 projects) and constructions US$
2.3 Bill (2 projects). (2015-2018)
Step Rail Ways Concession
Program (feasibility study – step 2)
US$ 4.2 Bill.
Opportunities to develop
air, road, river and airport
infrastructure
Sectors of opportunity – Infrastructure: A major drive for
growth

42. Opportunity sectors – Manufactures for the local
and foreign markets.
Medellín
2,441,123 hab.
Cali
2,344,734 hab.
Barranquilla
1,212,943 hab.
Bogotá
7,776,845 hab.
Cartagena
990,179 hab.
Cúcuta
643,666 hab.
Ibagué
512,631 hab.
Bucaramanga
527,451 hab.
Soledad
599,012 hab.
Building materials, cars and parts, clothing,
cosmetics and cleanness products, electric
machines, others.
Colombia has a business network of more
than 3,700 industrial companies with
export experience
More than 400.000 graduates and
specialists in engineering related areas between
2000 and 2011
9 cities with more than 500 thousand
citizens

43. Source: MinTic and IDC
Sectors of opportunity – Services
IT, BPO, ITO, Shared Services, Apps
Colombia is one the three major
providers of IT services in the
region.
2 years in a row showing double-
digit sales growth
Some foreign players in Colombia
The broadband connections
increased from 2.2 to 8.8 millions
between 2010 and 2014
In the next 4 years, the
broadband connections will
be tripled reaching 27
million connections

44. A country of regions and differentiated opportunities for
investors Caribbean Region
• Strategic location to access North America and the Caribbean. Just two
hours and one hour away from the US and Panama, respectively.
• The 5 ports in the Caribbean move more than 55 million tons.
• 38% of the people in San Andres and Providencia are bilingual.
• It has 8 of the country's 9 submarine cables.
• There are 14 clusters in the Caribbean region with different initiatives
that support health services, IT, agribusiness, logistics, and the dairy
sector.
• According to the International Congress and Convention Association
(ICCA), Cartagena is the second Meetings and Corporate Tourism
destination in Colombia.
• Productive investments in: agribusiness, logistics and tourism services,
and production of industrial supplies.
• Its business sector is comprised by more than 2,600 companies, with
322 manufacturing companies, for example:
• 28 plastic container companies
• 24 metalworking companies
• 16 chemicals companies, etc.
Population 10.2 million
Economically Active
Population
4.6 million
GDP (Billion USD) $ 55.198
Source: DANE, 2014

45. A country of regions and differentiated opportunities
for investors
Population 26,5 Millones
Economically Active
Population
5,9 Millones
GDP (Billion USD) 234.959
Source: DANE, 2014
Andean/Central Region
• It is home to more than 50% of the population in Colombia.
• It is the main industrial and services hub in the country, representing
69% and 73.3% of the domestic GDP respectively.
• It clusters 70% of the business sector, with more than 26,400
companies.
• It offers 4 international airports with more than 1,800 air cargo
routes handling over 730 million tons per year.
• Medellin was acknowledged as the most innovative city in the
world. There are noteworthy developments in CO2 emission
reduction processes, cultural attractions, and reduced criminal rates.
Urban Land Institute, 2013. (El tiempo)
• The Santander Free Trade Zone is the number one in terms of job
creation among the Free Trade Zones created since 2009. Noticia
Vaguardia Liberal, 2014.
• Bogota is the sixth most attractive city in Latin America to engage in
business activities, according to América Economía, 2014.
•

46. A country of regions and differentiated opportunities
for investors
Population 8,2 Millones
Economically Active
Population
4,1 Millones
GDP (Billion USD) 48.535
Source: DANE, 2014
The Pacific Region
• In 2013, the 2 public service ports in the department of Valle
del Cauca handled 44.5% of the foreign trade operations in
Colombia by sea.
• It gathers approximately 10% of the business sector in Colombia
with more than 3,100 companies.
• Valle del Cauca is the 4th department in Colombia with the
highest arrivals of non-resident foreign travelers. In 2013, this
figure increased by 10.3%.
• Valle del Cauca is a strategic location to address the domestic
market. Also, Buenaventura is one of the closest ports to Asia in
the Americas.
• Valle del Cauca gathers 29% of the central distribution logistic
platforms for the main companies in the country.
• Valle del Cauca is the most cost-efficient region to invest,
according to the Financial Times, 2014.

47. A country of regions and differentiated
opportunities for investors
Population 2,7 Millones
Economically Active
Population
4,3 Millones
GDP (Billion USD) 39.157
Source: DANE, 2014
The Orinoquia and the Amazon Regions
• Great opportunities regarding agribusiness, oil goods
and services, hotel infrastructure, and tourism.
• In 2013, 13,955 foreign travelers arrived in these
regions, showing a 29% growth compared to the
previous year.
• In 2013, more than 1,979,067 acres were planted with
agricultural products, showing a 6.6% increase.
• With over 3,212 acres cultivated with different clones,
this is the main rubber-producing region in Colombia.
MinAgricultura (Ministry of Agriculture)
• It gathers nearly 40% of the area suitable for
reforestation for commercial purposes in Colombia.
UPRA

48. Labor incentives
New employees with incomes lower than
1.5 Minimum Wages (US$ 476). Length of
benefit by employee : 2 years.
New women employees above 40 years old
with more than 1 year unemployed. Length of
benefit by employee: 2 years.
New employees under twenty eight (28)
years old. Length of benefit by employee: 2
years.
New employees certified in displacement
situation, reintegration or disability. Length of
benefit by employee: 3 years.
Discount in the income tax and supplementary contributions, and other contributions from payroll.
(Do not include positions generated by mergers or replacements)

49. Incentives for job creation and formalization
Small firms: staff no more than 50 employees, total assets not exceeding 5,000 SMMLV.
(US$ 1.3 aprox)
Application of escalation – Income Tax
0% - 2 first years
25% - third year
50% - fourth year
75% - fifth year
100% - from the sixth year

50. Free Trade Zones: Reduced income tax and sales
allowed to the local market
Caribbean Region
Andean Region
Pacific Region
Guajira
MagdalenaAtlántico
Bolívar
Valle del
Cauca
Cauca
Norte de
Santander
Santander
Boyacá
Cundinamarca
Huila
Antioquia
Caldas
Risaralda
Quindío
FTZ requested or approved prior to December 31, 2012. 15%
Income tax.
FTZ filed after December 31, 2012. Income tax of 15% + 9% tax
CREE. Since December 31, 2014, is applicable and additional
CREE tariff of 5% for 2015. The additional CREE tariff increases
per year.
Free Trade Zone
“Special Standing
Uniempresarial” (FTZ)
Permanent Free Trade
Zone

51. Free Trade Zones: Reduced income tax and
sales allowed to the local market
No import duties. VAT exemption for goods
sold from Colombia to FTZ.
Benefit from international trade
agreements.
Allows sales to the local market.
Free trade zones for different investor
styles.