Colombian Finance Minister, Central Bank Head to Discuss Economic Recovery at Bonds, Loans, and Derivatives Andes Conference

Colombia’s economy has been underperforming for the past two years and policymakers in Bogotá continue to look for ways to spur a recovery.

While most analysts do expect better results in 2018, challenges remain and a presidential election in May will further disrupt normal operations in a country where politics have become highly divisive and polarized party leaders.

Mauricio Cárdenas, finance minister of Colombia. (Credit: GFC Media Group / Bonds, Loans, and Derivatives Andes)

To address all this and more, Colombian Finance Minister Mauricio Cárdenas and central bank head Juan José Echavarría will both participate in the 2018 Bonds, Loans & Derivatives Andes conference in February in the nation’s capital.

Held again this year at the JW Marriott Bogotá on February 28, the annual event will bring together these luminaries and more to details the top financial issues in the country, including the new normal of low oil prices, economic diversification, monetary policy, foreign investment, tax reform, and the ongoing effects of the peace process.

Specifically, during the event, Cárdenas will offer his economic outlook for 2018 focus on the government’s strategy to develop new infrastructure and manage the national debt. For his part, Echavarría will provide an outlook on Colombia’s monetary policy through 2019 and discuss the central bank’s strategy to support growth, shore up the currency, and fight the impact of inflation.

“Despite its status as a favored destination for emerging market investors, much of 2017 saw fund managers question the strength of Colombia’s economic recovery after the market bottomed out in 2016 amidst persistently low oil prices and slower fiscal consolidation,” said the GFC Media Group, organizers of the event, in a statement.

There is good news on the horizon, however. “With oil prices now rising and inflation tamed, the outlook is starting to turn positive; how the government moves forward with key reforms in this context is crucial for the country’s investment environment,” stated the organization.

In addition to Cárdenas and Echavarría, many other high-profile members of Colombia’s public and private sector will speak at the event, including: José Olivares of the Ministry of Economy and Finance in Peru; Maria Fernanda Suarez, CFO of Ecopetrol; María Carolina Barón of BRC S&P Global Ratings; Jorge Unda Rodríguez, chief investment officer for Latin America of BBVA Asset Management; Felipe Castilla, CFO of Grupo Energía de Bogotá; and Santiago Giraldo López, CFO of Tecnoglass.

Photo: Juan José Echavarría, governor of Banco de la República. (Credit: GFC Media Group / Bonds, Loans, and Derivatives Andes)