Although the Colombian economy has been affected by a slowdown in recent years, the country’s banking sector has remained resilient. The majority of the impact has been felt in the external sector, particularly due to changes in the foreign exchange rate. Meanwhile, lending growth remained relatively strong until mid-2016, when the combined effects of weak investment and higher interest rates had…
Following congressional approval of a landmark peace agreement and a late-2016 tax reform package, 2017 looks to be a year of significant promise for the Colombian economy. Investment and infrastructure development are expected to be the key drivers of domestic demand, and the trade balance should continue to improve. Although growth has slowed as a result of the oil price shock, the Colombian economy…
While 2016 marked an important turning point for Colombia, the pace at which the economy accelerates and living standards improve over the coming years will be dictated to a large extent by the government’s success in implementing the peace agreement, swiftly establishing the rule of law across the entire territory and executing its ambitious infrastructure programme. When he leaves office in August…
Politically, economically and socially, Colombia may be at the most important turning point in its modern history. After 52 years of fighting, the landmark peace deal between the government and the armed militant group FARC was concluded in late 2016. This coincided with the apparent bottoming out of the country’s economic deceleration. GDP growth had been hit hard by falling global oil prices,…
In English El Banco de la República (BCR) ha rebajado las tasas de interés para impulsar el gasto y las inversiones públicas, aunque la reducción de los ingresos fiscales significa que el gobierno tiene a su disposición menos herramientas para estimular la actividad económica en el corto plazo. El pasado 25 de mayo, el BCR redujo la principal tasa de interés en 25 puntos básicos, hasta…
With oil accounting for roughly half of Colombia’s total exports, Latin America’s fourth-largest economy is feeling the effects of lower international oil prices. The negative impact of lower prices was nonetheless offset by positive performances by the retail, agriculture and financial services sectors, ensuring continued growth in 2015. Higher growth is expected in 2016 and beyond, driven in
In English Un impulso para aumentar la producción minera, como parte de esfuerzos mayores para amortiguar el impacto de los ingresos procedentes de hidrocarburos inferiores, está cogiendo fuerza a pesar de que la oposición local está creando cierta incertidumbre. A finales de marzo, residentes del Municipio de Cajamarca en Colombia votaron, casi en su totalidad, en contra de los permisos…
En Español In economics, as in life, everything comes and goes. In 2016 commodity prices were down and most Latin American currencies depreciated. Now, less forex volatility and more reasonable commodity prices have led many to hope for a more promising future. However, other factors have entered the equation; for example, US President Donald Trump’s relations with Mexico brought uncertainty…
In English El incremento de las exploraciones y el despliegue de tecnologías de recuperación mejorada de petróleo (EOR, por sus siglas en inglés) en los campos petrolíferos más envejecidos para impulsar su output podría ayudar al sector energético colombiano a expandirse aún más, luego de que la principal empresa petrolera del país volviese a presentar rentabilidad. A principios del…
In English La mejora de las condiciones de seguridad y de las nuevas conexiones aéreas ha incrementado el atractivo de Colombia como destino turístico internacional y ha impulsado el crecimiento del sector turismo. Según las últimas cifras del Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, el número de llegadas internacionales incrementó un 13.7% interanual para alcanzar 2.34m en los 11 primeros…
