“Although the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is in a neutral phase and does not directly influence current weather conditions, the bulletin warns that there is still a high probability of rainfall above historical averages in several departments, with the potential for extreme events that could seriously impact agricultural production systems and rural infrastructure,” said Alfonso Triana.  A specialized professional of the UPRA.

Likewise, Cesar Cortés, UPRA expert, explained: “The UPRA analysis reveals that this risk would especially affect crops of banana, cocoa, coffee, fruit trees, vegetables, roots and tubers, with the possibility of anoxia in soils, spread of diseases and logistical difficulties for marketing, mainly in the Andean, Pacific, Caribbean regions and areas of the Orinoquia and Amazon.”

The departments with the highest concentration of vulnerable hectares are Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Cauca, Boyacá, Tolima, and Nariño, which reinforces the need to take measures with a differential and territorial approach.

The report also provides a detailed overview by region and municipality. “In the Andean region alone, around 340,000 ha were identified at low risk and about 1,500 ha at medium risk, distributed in 41 municipalities. In the Caribbean, more than 85,000 ha are at low risk and 624 ha at medium risk, while in the Pacific, low risk affects about 195,000 ha. In the Amazon and Orinoquía, although the area at risk is smaller, the vulnerability of rural infrastructure is a concern,” said Alexander Rodríguez Romero, UPRA’s technical director of efficient land use and land adaptation.

The bulletin includes an analysis by crop group that shows that, although the cultivated area at medium risk represents only 0.05% of the national total (2,440 ha of 4.7 million), the impact can be severe depending on the type of production:

• Fruit trees: 1,063 ha at risk (43.6% of the total at risk).
• Traditional tropical crops (cocoa, coffee, sugarcane): 891 ha.
• Oilseeds: 182 ha.
• Vegetables: 64 ha with a high proportion affected (0.09% of the total cultivated group).
• Cereals (maize and rice): 99 ha.
• Roots and tubers (potato, cassava, yams): 108 ha.
• Legumes and aromatics: 33 ha in total.

For her part, Dora Inés Rey Martínez, acting director of UPRA, concluded: “Faced with this panorama, UPRA reiterates the need for informed and preventive agroclimatic planning. Producers are recommended to adopt water management, drainage, pest monitoring, and planting staggering practices. Likewise, a call is made to the territorial authorities to strengthen agroclimatic technical assistance and support the most exposed territories with infrastructure and differential actions.”

Key figures:

• 0.7% of the agricultural frontier in Colombia, that is, about 300,000 hectares, is at specific risk, mainly low, due to excess rainfall in different regions of the country for the period between May and October.
• 2,440 hectares under cultivation are estimated at medium risk, especially fruit trees (43.6% of the total).
• Andean and Pacific regions, the most exposed by medium and low risk.

Walking in the rain. Photo credit: wal_172619 from Pixabay.

According to analysis based on IDEAM data (Colombia’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies), in the coming months, rainfall in the Andean, Caribbean, and Orinoquia regions is likely to be between normal values and up to 40% above historical averages. This increase, although natural in the rainy season, translates into a latent risk of extreme events that could affect both agricultural production and rural infrastructure,” explained Eliecer Díaz Almanza, an expert from the UPRA.

Headline image: Cacao fruits, when processed correcty, render chocolate.

The impact is expected to be especially relevant on crops sensitive to excess water, such as bananas and plantains, cacao, avocado, vegetables, and potatoes. In addition, high humidity conditions could lead to the proliferation of pests and diseases, affecting animal and plant health.

The acting director of the UPRA, Dora Inés Rey, highlighted the importance of consulting the Agroclimatic Bulletin to plan and, thus, reduce the impact of agroclimatic risks: “Having this information has been fundamental for decision-making. It allows farmers, producers, and authorities, both regional and national, to anticipate, prioritize actions in crops, adapt infrastructures, and protect production systems that are at risk.”

Special attention to the ACFEC

The bulletin highlights that productive areas under Ethnic and Community Family Peasant Agriculture (ACFEC) schemes are especially vulnerable. It is estimated that, in departments such as Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Nariño, Cauca, and Valle del Cauca, agroclimatic conditions increase the risk for small producers and production systems located in alluvial soils or with a high water table.

In regions such as the Caribbean, Pacific, and Andean, a medium and low risk of excess moisture is projected in agricultural and livestock areas in specific areas. The potential impact also extends to ACFEC’s production systems, where significant effects are expected in key departments such as Antioquia, Cundinamarca and Valle del Cauca.

The situation is similar in the Orinoquia and the Amazon, although with relatively minor impacts. In these areas, the risk of damage to rural roads and productive infrastructure stands out. “We call on regional and local authorities to make use of this information to anticipate and foresee risks, strengthen agro-ecological practices, improve drainage systems, plan planting in a staggered manner, and reinforce rural infrastructures,” explained Alexander Rodríguez Romero, technical director of Efficient Land Use and Land Adaptation at UPRA.

Likewise, we invite local authorities to redouble agroclimatic technical assistance with a differential approach for these population groups, vital in food production and food security in the country.

“The planning of agricultural activities must be guided by the climate predictions of Ideam, the UPRA Agroclimatic Bulletin, and the recommendations of the National Agroclimatic Technical Table, key tools for timely decision-making that contribute to mitigating risks and guaranteeing the sustainability of the sector,” concluded César Cortés, UPRA expert.

Key figures from the April 2025 Agroclimatic Bulletin

• 2.3 million hectares within the national agricultural frontier are at risk of excess water.
• In ACFEC areas, more than 852 thousand hectares are identified with low risk and about 86 thousand hectares with medium risk, especially in the Andean and Pacific regions.
• Andean Region: medium risk at 97,000 ha and low at 181,000 ha, with possible impact on crops such as Musaceae, fruit trees, and vegetables.
• Caribbean region: low risk in more than 179,000 ha, with critical points in agricultural areas such as Chiriguaná (Cesar).
• Pacific Region: medium risk in 109,000 ha and low in 164,000 ha; affects productive systems and mountain areas vulnerable to landslides.
• Orinoquia and Amazon regions: lower risk, but with potential effects on rural infrastructure and roads.

Photo credit: UPRA.

Colombia’s exports to the UK last year totaled $470.4 million USD and represented about 10% of what Colombia sells to the European Union. In the first four months of 2020, sales to the UK totaled $146.2 million USD, of which $102.7 million USD were goods outside of the mining or energy sectors. The United Kingdom’s investment in Colombia reached $1.099 billion in 2019 and represented 7.6% of the foreign capital that arrived in Colombia last year.

The main non-mining/energy export to the UK is agriculture, including bananas, flowers, coffee and fruit such as avocados. This replacement agreement contemplates the same tariff preferences that Colombia enjoys right now with the European Union.

Now in its 5^th year, Bonds, Loans & Derivatives Andes is by invitation only, making it an exclusive platform for the development of Andean debt capital markets.

This year over 350 issuers, local and international investors, arranging bankers, lawyers and advisors are expected to attend, making this year’s event the ideal opportunity to network with the local fixed income community and build new relationships with international investors

This year will look at prospects for growth in 2016 across the region, and how Colombia and Peru are positioned within Latin America and the global economic community. Expert speakers will also be discussing how current macroeconomic challenges are impacting corporate financing strategies, and what impact this is having on investor appetite in the region. This year will also be the ideal opportunity to hear an update on the multibillion dollar Colombian 4G highway upgrade program and how this is continuing to be funded.

Highlights this year include:

• 60 international industry expert speakers
• 2 Keynote Speakers: Mauricio Cardenas, Minister of Finance, Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, Republic of Colombia, will discuss the prospects for growth for Colombia in 2016.  Juan Pablo Cordoba, Chief Executive Officer, Bolsa de Valores de Colombia will discuss the importance of strong intraregional relationships within the Andean region.
• Global investors including Blackrock and BBVA Asset Management: Deliver their unbiased perspectives on the investment appeal of Andean credit and share their views on the future
• 1-to-1 meetings: allowing sponsors, speakers and delegates the opportunity to meet all their clients in one place and build strong business relationships.
• New for 2016 Bonds & Loans Connect: the members-only website makes it easier than ever to arrange meetings prior to the event and maintain the relationship post-event
• New for 2016, Avianca Airline Partnership: Avianca is offering attendees a special discounted rate for flying to Bogotá.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Ana Milena López Rocha, Director General, Public Credit and National Treasury, Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, Republic of Colombia
• Carlos Blanco, Director General, Debt and Public Treasury, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Republic of Peru
• Andres Escobar, Vice Minister of Finance, Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, Republic of Colombia
• Jack Deino, Director, Emerging Markets Debt, BlackRock
• Jorge Unda, Chief Investment Officer, BBVA Asset Management
• Diana Rua, Chief Financial Officer, Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM)

For more information about the event or for details on participation, interested parties may contact Natashah Wilson at Natashah.Wilson@GFCConferences.com

There was a time when the only possible way to analyze available information was to use statistical sampling techniques focused primarily on structured information, because organizing and analyzing the entire data set was simply impossible. Even though today banks are beginning to research analysis strategies and their use of structured and unstructured data, in most cases this analysis is performed to improve internal processes, to reduce operating and financial risks, and to define strategies for product and service.

Guest contributor Carlos Ferrer is the Vice President and General Manager of Unisys for South, Central and Andean Latin America, and the Head of Financial Services for Latin America

Because of this, there is a long way to go if one wants to really realize the potential of all the information provided to us, to facilitate growth, differentiate of services, customer engagement and business transformation in this the new digital era.

Big Data, analytics, and the great digital universe are the big themes that we hear about frequently and they promise to be smart and viable solutions for business improvement. Financial companies and banks increasingly are using these types of solutions to improve their services. The customer is the center of everything. Their environment, their needs; their consumption behavior, preferences, goals, and finances define the treatment that their financial service providers offer them. We must redefine the rules of the game, providing a service attractive to users. After all, the user is the person that understands where they want to go and who they want to be accompanied by.

Analytics solutions provide a method for increasing customer engagement by analyzing large volumes of information through highly sophisticated mathematical models customized to the interests of each company. Obtained results are assessed step-by-step providing, trends and behavioral frameworks that allow customization of services, maintaining risks according to opportunities of each client.

By introducing more information, opportunities arise for possible growth and improvements for each specific situation. Services become digital, dynamic and evolving, close to the customer, and able to perform immediate analysis in order to identify needed changes and next steps to implement the ideal strategy to achieve improved financial results. When one already has established objectives, these should focus on fulfilling the challenges proposed, seeking the relevance of the information and its role in improving services.

By using an analytics platform that meets all of these qualities and can be implemented simply, and in addition, has the ability to handle large volumes of information, the necessary scalability to comply with regulatory requirements and habeas data, and can process all this information at a rate that meets the expectations of both the customers and suppliers who use it, banks and financial institutions can quickly start using the information of their customers to create a great impact on its customers and on the market.

It is important that financial organizations can deliver differentiated services as quickly as retailers do, ease of access to make your business more attractive, resulting not only service opportunities but in margins of benefits. This does not mean to replace the methods previously used, but as a complement for both the user and the financial entity to search for the best possible service.

Jorge Luis Cazar will serve as Senior Vice President of the new Chubb Group and Regional President, Latin America.

The leadership team reporting to Mr. Cazar will include:

Jorge Luis Cazar will serve as Senior Vice President of the new Chubb Group and Regional President, Latin America.

• Marcos Gunn will serve as President, Northern Latin America Region, which includes México, Central America and the Caribbean, and Chief Operating Officer, Latin America. Currently, Mr. Gunn is Regional Chief Operating Officer for ACE’s Latin America region.
• Herman Weiss will serve as President, Andean Region, which includes Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Currently, Mr. Weiss is Senior Vice President and Latin America Zone Officer, Chubb Group.
• Antonio Trindade will serve as Country President of Brasil. Currently, Mr. Trindade is Country President, Brasil, for ACE.
• Pablo Korze will serve as Senior Vice President, Commercial Property & Casualty, Latin America. Currently, Mr. Korze is Senior Vice President, Property & Casualty, for ACE’s Latin America region.
• Fabiola Franco will serve as Senior Vice President, Accident & Health, Latin America. Currently, Ms. Franco is Senior Vice President, Accident & Health, for ACE’s Latin America region.
• David Heard will serve as Senior Vice President, Personal Lines, Latin America. Currently, Mr. Heard is Senior Vice President, Personal and Business Insurance, for ACE’s Latin America region.
• Cazar will report to Juan C. Andrade, Executive Vice President, ACE Group, Personal Lines and Chief Operating Officer of ACE Overseas General, and who as previously announced will serve as Executive Vice President of the Chubb Group and President of the Overseas General Insurance division.

“ACE has built a broad and deep presence across Latin America with a very balanced mix of businesses. The team that will lead this important region is comprised of experienced, capable and effective managers who understand that insurance is a local business driven by local relationships,” said Mr. Andrade. “We see significant, long-term growth opportunities in Latin America on both the industrial/commercial side, where there is a need to develop critical infrastructure in many countries, and on the consumer side, where there is a growing middle class. I am confident that Jorge Luis, leading this strong team, including new colleagues from Chubb, will deliver superior products and services for our clients and partners across Latin America as well as superior results for the organization.”

“I am very excited to announce the leadership team for the new Chubb Group’s Latin America region,” said Mr. Cazar. “Marcos is a strong executive who brings deep experience in México, one of our most important markets. Antonio is one of the most accomplished and experienced insurance industry executives in Brasil. Pablo, Fabiola and David combine an appreciation of the nuances of Latin America’s different markets with a deep understanding of their respective product lines. I am also very pleased that Herman will be leading our important Andean region. He represents the best of Chubb and we look forward to working with him and other new Chubb colleagues when the transaction is completed. We will share more information about our leadership team in Latin America at a later date.”