2013: Looking ahead

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La Candelaria neighborhood in Bogotá
La Candelaria neighborhood in Bogotá

The first editorial of a new year is always the hardest. There’s not much news circulating, many of our readers are still on vacation, and the political momentum is at a stand still. But there is one thing we know as certain: the world didn’t end last month as the Mayans had been warning us ever since they carved their calendar in stone. But there are some predictions which can be made with a certain degree of accuracy, and should you be reading this, please take note.

Colombia passed last year through some difficult moments. The government decided to embark on an ambitious, and cautious, process of talking with the country’s oldest and largest guerilla organization, the FARC. From closed room talks in Oslo to the informality of Havana, the process has advanced. This year will be a definitive one for peace in Colombia, and as the months advance, I’ll be typing many words on this topic.

The year ahead seems to be on strengthening Colombia’s role as a regional player. After the heated issue over who controls part of the western Caribbean, the tension no doubt will subside and this country will try to mend bridges over the disputed waters with Nicaragua.

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Colombia is very much a player in Central America. Many large Colombian corporations have affiliate companies and strategic commercial ties in a region which encompasses vibrant Panama and tech savvy Costa Rica. I have no crystal ball or deck of tarot to make some of these affirmations. However, if we look at trends, Colombia historically settles its differences by playing to compromise and negotiating well under pressure.

This year, I believe the government of Juan Manuel Santos will work hard on positioning Colombia as that reliable and key hemispheric partner. The president will most likely achieve this by forging ahead by signing more pacts and trade agreements. Colombia is hardly a polarized and divided country politically. Everything can be hammered out in the halls of power. Even an eventual entry into political life by an ex-FARC soldier seems possible in a year which I believe will hold its share of surprises.

I would love things to go well for Colombia in 2013. I believe this country has huge potential wherever you look. From a talented and skilled work force to embracing challenges with a smile, there are few obstacles Colombians haven’t lived through or overcome by hard work.

The confidence crisis set off last year when investment house InterBolsa collapsed sent a clear warning of the dangers of over speculation and too much capital greed. The lesson learned from Interbolsa is that Colombia must measure its economic prowess and momentum.

For us in media it’s going to be an exciting year. In April, we reach a five-year mark and one which fills us with joy. Five years have gone by fast and we have positioned ourselves as this country’s only English language newspaper, printed locally and circulating nationally. It’s a good time to be in print we believe. We have seen first hand how advertising on paper continues to be the most effective way of reaching consumers.

There will be challenges ahead as we expand our digital presence. Colombia will be a much-talked about nation in 2013. The potential in tourism is still largely untapped. With a real chance at a lasting peace, new destinations will open up as well as the potential to expand infrastructure to many regions which remain isolated and cut off by bad roads. Cities such as Barranquilla, Bucaramanga and Cali are emerging as vibrant and exciting places to live. Our plans at The City Paper include expanding our reach to these growing business hubs.

A country at peace with itself is more than we could hope for this year. Opportunities for bringing in investment, big and small, in all sectors of the economy would generate new jobs for millions of Colombians. I also feel that increasingly foreigners are going to feel more at home here. By starting up their companies, they are going to contribute to the everyday fabric that is Colombian society. It’s never easy to cross linguistic and cultural divides. But it can be done, because the rewards of making a new life in Colombia more than justifies the effort and determination.

 

What are your predictions for 2013? Share them with us below!

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