Undoubtedly, we are in a time of change and new challenges. For some people, this means an obstacle, for others, an opportunity. Only those who have enough information to see them and know how to take advantage of them will lead the future. This is clear when we talk about investments. The latest developments have led us to rethink the places, people and businesses we trust our money. The whole planet offers possibilities. There are approximately 1,961,969 cities in the world, but it is clear that not all of them can be compared. Only a few stand out and take attention. So where should
I invest?
Colombia, for example, has had a strong role as one of the leading investment prospects in Latin
America. Despite the current global context, this country has already demonstrated many times its capacity for innovation, resilience, security and adaptation to change. However, among all its territory, the city of Medellin has stood out. What´s the reason? We could summarize it in three:

1) Multiple benefits for foreign investment.

Colombia is the third largest recipient of foreign capital in Latin America and one of the top 30 commercial destinations worldwide, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It also has trade agreements with more than 60 countries.

This is a consequence of the encouragement and ease to enter money to Medellín, create partnerships and set up working groups with experts. For example, the city has 2 tax-free zones. There, those who build, establish or carry out commercial activities can have discounts on taxes.
Also, the state has created rules that attract foreign capital, such as the Law 1943 of 2018, which benefits like tax-cut for investors:

• With a progressive reduction in income tax from 33% to 30%.
• Deducting 50% of the Industry and Trade tax from businesses that start or continue.
• Classifying as exempt the income of Orange Economy, agricultural productivity, housing projects, sales of renewable energy and certain types of transport.

Finally, it cannot be ignored that the dollar has had as reference value $3,910 Colombian pesos. This makes the purchasing power increase! You can do more now than before with the same money ¡This is the time!

2) The world’s gaze is on Medellin.

From various angles, this city has been internationally recognized. He has already won many awards, among which stand out:

• “Best city to live in Latin America”. Awarded by Indra. 2014.
• “City with better initiatives on sustainable mobility”. Awarded by ICLEI EcoMobility. 2015.
• The world’s most innovative city. (Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize). Awarded by Urban
• Redevelopment Authority Singapore. Centre for Livable Cities, Singapore. 2016.
• “One of the most innovative cities in the world”. Awarded by the Australasian agency 2ThinkNow in the HUB category, the second most advanced. 2017.
• Traveler’s Choice. Best tourist destination in South America. Awarded by TripAdvisor. 2018.
• Medellin. “The future we want is resilient.” C40 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award. 2019.
• “Discovery City” Choice as an innovative city that stands out for transformation and inclusion. 2019.

That´s why, the city is a protagonist for its solid economy, technology, sustainable mobility, innovation and tourist attraction. For the year 2021, the city projects to be the innovation capital in Latin America through its Medellinnovation district.

3) Current investments are prosperous and stable.

Medellin’s GDP for 2017 was USD $22,530 million approx. (8% of national GDP). This remarkable number is the result of working together between local and foreign investors. There are several economic actors, some already consolidated, others recent. Among the main ones, there is the sector of clothing, design and fashion, construction, business tourism, fairs and conventions, medical and dentistry services, information and communication technologies, electric energy and manufacturing.
In the Top 6 of Colombia’s largest companies are 4 with origin or headquarters in Medellin: Grupo Éxito (#1), Grupo Sura (#3), Grupo EPM (#5), Grupo Argos (#6).

On the other hand, non-traditional sectors report a constant increase, such as:

• Hotel and real estate infrastructure: Luxury hotels and real estate developments.
• Creative industries: Audiovisual production, video game development, digital content development.
• Development of IT services (Industries 4.0): Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain,
• Big Data, Internet of Things and application design. Third-party services.
• Agribusiness: Production of avocado, banana, citrus, cocoa and coffee.

Life Sciences: Advanced health services, medical device manufacturing, pharmaceutical development.

Aerospace: Aircraft review, maintenance and repair centers, aircraft manufacturing, innovation centers.

Metal mechanics: Manufacture of auto parts, motoparts, appliances and elevators.

Even the city administration promotes and facilitates “orange economy” projects that are activities of production of goods and services with symbolic value that use creativity, such as: music, television, design, photography, jewelry, theater, cinema, radio and plastic arts. This market is growing with an accelerated rate.

All these activities are strengthened in the context of a connected and modern city, with easy land access (state-of-the-art 4G roads), air (2 airports) and maritime (proximity to the main ports of the country), facilitating the exchange of products, services, personnel and information.

Thanks to the success in such diverse sectors, Medellin has the largest external market in the country, has the best economic performance in Latin America and, today is the 46th city in the world, according to the Brookings Institute in its study “Global Metromonitor”, in the period 2013-2014.

With all this facts, it is clear that Medellin is not only a city that investors from all over the world have already trusted, also it is the place where you will find experts who will help you, from the inside, in order make the best decisions. At Serena Realty, we have specialized just in that, cooperating and working hand in glove with investors from all over the world who set their eyes on the city of eternal spring.

Serena Realty S.A.S is a highly qualified international team that offers the best advice and service in Hotel and Apartment Management, Legal and Accounting Services, Architectural and Remodeling Services for local and foreign clients. We have successfully developed several projects in Medellín (Colombia) that are up to international standards, achieving the objectives of multiple investors worldwide.

Do not hesitate to contact us. You will see that in Medellin everything is in our favor. If you want to know more, in www.serenarealty.com we will be waiting for you.