Colombia

The energy sector reached a milestone in 2012 as crude oil production surpassed 1m barrels per day. Colombia’s current generation capacity of 14,420 MW is supplied primarily by hydroelectric power, which accounts for just over two-thirds of the total, with the remainder coming primarily from natural gas- and coal-fired thermoelectric plants. Since 2008 natural gas production has seen private...

The insurance sector has experienced significant growth in recent years as a rise in disposable income, an expansion of the formal economy, falling unemployment and gradual advancement on major infrastructure projects have helped expand demand across the spectrum of general and life insurance products. The number of insured has doubled between 2008 and 2011 and, at an average growth rate of 9.6%...

Colombia’s increasingly deep, diverse and sophisticated capital markets suggest a coming of age for the sector, which in 2012 saw total annual traded volume reach $36bn and a record total market capitalisation of $270bn. Well-established sovereign fixed-income and foreign exchange markets have been complemented in recent years by a developing derivatives market, increased domestic corporate debt...

Characterised by strong supervision and relatively conservative lending policies, Colombia’s banking sector is among the most stable and profitable in the region, with a return on assets of 1.97% across all credit entities and a return on equity of 13.56% in 2012. Although the sector is dominated by large domestic conglomerates, conditions are ripe for investors. Consumer, microcredit and...

Consistent macroeconomic growth in the past decade, averaging 4.5% from 2002 to 2012, has renewed investment confidence in Colombia. Strong economic performance is expected to continue with the IMF anticipating GDP growth of around 4.1% in 2013. With a liberal legislative framework for free trade zones and high investor protection, Colombia attracted the second-highest investment flows in the...

A new era of confidence is sweeping Colombia after a history marked by instability, social inequality and counter-insurgency efforts against guerrilla movements. Steady economic progress and increased security have renewed confidence in Colombia, which has sought to further integrate its economy regionally as well as globally through free trade agreements and membership in regional blocs. With...