For two days, entrepreneurs and representatives of companies from Puerto Rico visited Medellín to learn more about its business ecosystem, in order to invest and generate commercial agreements.
This mission was organized by the Department of Economic and Commercial Development of Puerto Rico and ACI Medellin, allowing businessmen from that Caribbean island to learn about economic and legal aspects, and to envision business opportunities in the region. Public and private sector actors from the capital of Antioquia participated in the meetings, outlining investment alternatives and possible bilateral trade agreements.
According to Nicolás Rodríguez, ACI Medellín’s Investment Director, “our city is experiencing a rebirth in terms of foreign investment and commercial ties with the entire world. Proof of this is the visit with 21 companies from Puerto Rico, who came very determined to know the legal, economic and human talent aspects to establish their operations in our city and also to open business opportunities with local and regional companies”.
The agenda focused on investment alternatives between Medellín and Puerto Rico. Among the panelists were the Secretary of Tourism, José Alejandro González; the Undersecretary of Business Creation and Strengthening, Juan David Molina; the Director of Investment of the ACI Medellín, Nicolás Rodríguez Aristizábal; and the Secretary of Tourism of Antioquia, Margarita Restrepo; representatives of Cementos Argos and KPG also participated, among others.
For Soraya Morón, Assistant Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development, “we met in Medellín with Puerto Rican businessmen who have a great opportunity to collaborate with Colombian businessmen. After a visit we made in 2021 we realized that there are many opportunities for collaboration between Puerto Rican and Colombian entrepreneurs to magnify these long-term relationships. There is a connectivity between both territories that we cannot miss, not only in tourism but also in economic development and that is why we are here”.
The Caribbean island has invested US$2.9 million in the region between 2008 and 2023.
The mission also included some entrepreneurs from Puerto Rico who are already based in Medellín, such as Jonathan Centeno Serrano, CEO of Brainmood, a company specialized in software development. “The experience we have had of establishing the company in Medellin was very good, we are very grateful with the energy of the paisas to work. The people are very friendly and offer incredible attention, so I would like to invite all those who want to set up their company in Medellín to do so, since they have all the resources in the city”.
Medellin has not been alien to the interest of Puerto Rican investors. According to historical figures, the island has invested 2.9 million dollars between 2008 and 2023, thanks to three companies that settled in the region, generating close to 100 jobs.