Paisas want more than just growth for Antioquian companies, they also want to carry a message of social entrepreneurship and sustainability to the international community.
“Colombia has a privileged position in the energy sector; it could become a hub.”
Isagen is dedicated to energy generation and solutions, branching out to hydroelectricity and geothermal strategies. The hydro project, Sogamoso, is set to generate large cash flows and in terms of renewable energy, says Rico, Colombia has great potential – an agreement with Ecuador will begin exploration of geothermal resources on the countries’ shared border, while non-renewables such as gas and coal are in plentiful supply. And the company’s Medellin headquarters is set for LEED certification as part of its philosophy of a protected and clean environment.
“The global economic crisis is making all of us rethink things.”
Founded by the 43 companies that made up the Antioquian economy over half a century ago, Comfama was born of a voluntary agreement between employers and unions. Now the independent social enterprise gets resources from 47,000 companies, of which 80% are SMEs. This increase in small companies, says Restrepo, is partly due to the process of crisis and transformation of recent years. Her vision for Comfama includes creating profitability, expanding nationally and making transfer of services, such as health, education, housing and credit, conditional on social issues.
“The city is in permanent evolution, change and transformation.”
Camacol brings together the entire construction supply chain under a union umbrella, building partnerships within the industry while working with the government to solve issues. And though real estate is sluggish in many countries, Antioquia has outpaced even Colombia’s 19% growth thanks to social housing initiatives. “Today we build 140,000 homes a year,” says Loaiza, “but we should be building 250,000.” Antioquia produces 93% of the supplies and materials required in a construction project, giving it the capacity to comfortably serve the local, national and export markets.
