Efforts in infrastructure, education, energy and export are all currently being made in order to improve the way the department functions and the lives of its inhabitants, harnessing the strength of traditional sectors such as agriculture, while also driving forward new large-scale initiatives to improve economic development into the future.

A powerhouse of the Colombian economy, Antioquia's significant role in Colombia's economic health is most strongly represented by the regional capital, Medellín. The city is not only the country's second largest after the capital Bogotá, but, along with the rest of the region, is also responsible for 14% of the country's GDP.

Flourishing industrial and business projects are supported by agricultural and textile production and mineral exports, as well as a services industry strongly based around banking and telecommunications. It's no surprise, then, that Antioquia is known as Colombia's most hard-working region. "Our potential for growth is enormous," says Governor Ramos. "Very few regions in the world have the natural resources found in Antioquia."

These resources include gold, which is Antioquia's biggest export (in millions of dollars), and platinum. More recently, 200 million tons of limestone and 45,000 hectares of coal have been discovered and are currently under study near the region's leading port of Urabá, from where all Antioquia's exports depart for the United States and Europe, including 2.2 million tons of bananas per year.

While talk of Medellín may swiftly awaken memories of violence and crime outside Colombia, for Governor Ramos, times have changed. "In Antioquia we no longer suffer kidnappings, something unthinkable fifteen years ago." Regional authorities are currently concerned with recent violence against political candidates standing for local election in October 2011, but meanwhile, the streets of one of Colombia's most notorious cities now offer new and innovative buildings, like the award-winning headquarters of the country's biggest bank Bancolombia, and business opportunities for companies from abroad.

The whole region has pressing issues to deal with, which include insufficient infrastructure and basic social needs for rural areas. In light of this, part of Ramos' hard work as governor, has meant concentrating on developing the whole region. "I would like to be thought of as a person who has recovered all the regions," he says. "The west of Antioquia, for example, is undergoing steady growth."

A recent survey showed that the people of Antioquia are grateful for Ramos' efforts to push the region forward, as he was ranked the country's second most favoured governor after Putumayo region's Julio Byron Viveros. A career politician, Ramos has served at all levels of government, as mayor of Medellín itself in the '90s, then senator, government minister and ambassador to the Organisation of American States. Some are tipping him for the highest office in the land, but in the meantime, the governor's priorities are focused on Antioquia.

One of those priorities is the 425-kilometre Hidroituango hydroelectric power project, the development of which is in full flow. "Nobody believed that we would be able to drive forward a $3.3 billion project, making it the world's most economical project per kilowatt generated." International involvement in the construction of the project is just part of Ramos' wish to see Antioquia becoming a target for more foreign investment. The region is currently accounts for 12% of foreign direct investment in Colombia, second only to Bogotá. "In the last three years some of the world's most important companies have visited Antioquia. There is already major investment in mining and many British firms are investing in exploration and operations."

In support of this interest, plans to implement major infrastructure work on roads throughout the region have necessarily been one of Ramos' priorities, and they include the recently approved Túnel de Oriente tunnel project that will establish improved connections between Medellín and the west of Antioquia.

Improved electricity services are also being provided by Colombia's largest utilities company EPM and Antioquia's authorities, with an investment of $214 bn to take electricity to more than 42,000 rural homes. And plans for a $250m project to develop the port of Urabá are underway, opening up opportunities for greater export and extending the activities of the free port.

Recent flooding in the department, which has caused havoc in many towns and cities, will now mean further investment is required to deal with immediate infrastructure problems. Ramos estimates the investment needed will stand at around $500m and welcomes foreign investment for all public highway development projects.

The Governor recently visited the flood-affected areas, where he met with local mayors and community leaders to discuss recovery plans. This is not the only time that Ramos has taken a hands-on approach to his work, stating that his political style consists of "working hard, visiting the regions on a weekly basis and talking to all the different authorities."

The region continues to flourish, but also faces ongoing challenges not only from the harsh weather, but also from unfulfilled social necessities such as a lack of basic sanitation and safe drinking water in rural areas.

With the governor predicting 5% growth in GDP in 2011 (up 1 percentage point on 2010 growth), Ramos and his government continue to work to ensure the sustainability of economic growth and social development by investing in core areas such as education and infrastructure.

Improvements have been made in terms of access to all levels of education, but coverage still has a way to go to create a well-educated workforce that will be attractive to foreign investors. "We have made major progress," he explains. "We have established Internet connections for all Antioquia's public institutions and invested $130m in classrooms."

By investing in a range of key areas that will improve the quality of life of Antioquia's inhabitants, such as infrastructure, education and agriculture, Ramos and his government are encouraging citizens to continue with their efforts to ensure the region's future growth. The question remains, however, whether the hard work to encourage export and new developments to interest foreign investors will succeed in improving the quality of life for the people of the region, thus taking Antioquia into a positive future, where a lack of basic infrastructure and violence really do succeed in becoming a thing of the past.