Over USD $225 Million in Foreign Investment Flowed into Valle del Cauca in 2024
Santiago de Cali, January 7th, 2025. Throughout 2024, Valle del Cauca attracted approximately USD $225 million in foreign investment, driven by 22 investment projects from companies across various industries. These projects contributed to the creation of 2,070 new jobs in the region, according to the latest figures compiled by Invest Pacific, which were presented during its final Board of Directors meeting of the year.
These new investments and reinvestments originate from countries such as Brazil, the United States, France, Israel, Mexico, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, and Venezuela. They have been established in cities like Cali, Palmira, Bugalagrande, Yumbo, and Buga, spanning sectors such as commerce, BPO, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, logistics, food, construction, and infrastructure. Each of these projects aligns with Valle del Cauca’s vision of becoming the ideal destination for companies to achieve ambitious decarbonization goals while contributing to biodiversity conservation.
Notably, of the 22 confirmed projects in 2024, half (11) are setting up operations in Cali, generating approximately USD $110 million in investment and creating 1,816 new jobs for Cali residents—double the number of jobs generated the previous year, based on the latest report as of November 30. Yumbo also stands out, attracting four (4) of these projects, followed by Palmira with three (3), and Buga, Buenaventura, Yotoco, and Bugalagrande, each with one.
Strategic Collaboration Driving Growth
“Through close collaboration with the Government of Valle del Cauca, the municipal administrations of Cali, Yumbo, and Buga, as well as the Cali Chamber of Commerce, ProColombia, and other institutional stakeholders, Invest Pacific generated 168 new investment opportunities in 2024 across sectors such as technology, manufacturing, agribusiness, and renewable energy—representing a 58.5% increase compared to 2023,” said Juan Carlos Castro, Executive Director of Invest Pacific.
Celebrating its 14th anniversary in 2024, Invest Pacific carried out 18 investment attraction and regional promotion missions across 14 countries spanning three continents, positioning Valle del Cauca as a strategic business destination.
“The COP16 summit provided a remarkable opportunity to showcase why Cali is Colombia’s biodiversity capital and one of the most biodiverse cities in the world. We leveraged this platform to highlight the region’s unique attributes and its potential for projects in biotechnology, decarbonization, and positioning Cali as a key biodiversity capital, technology hub, and carbon-neutral business center in Latin America,” added Castro.
Looking Ahead to 2025
For 2025, the foreign investment promotion agency aims to attract 21 new investment and reinvestment projects, targeting a total of USD $320 million in capital inflows and generating approximately 2,100 new jobs across the region.
To achieve these goals, Invest Pacific has mapped out a strategic plan focused on strengthening Cali’s position as a hub for technology-driven operations and advancing Valle del Cauca’s leadership in low-carbon business solutions across manufacturing, services, agribusiness, logistics, and renewable energy.
This will be achieved through investment roadshows and commercial missions in key markets such as Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Germany, Denmark, Brazil, the United States, Argentina, and Uruguay, among others.
“Foreign direct investment in Cali and Valle del Cauca is a fundamental pillar for social and economic growth. We will continue working closely with the region’s business and institutional ecosystem, aligning efforts with local development strategies to position the region for strategic projects that generate jobs, enhance capabilities, and expand opportunities,” concluded Castro.
Key Investment Projects for 2025
With support from international cooperation and multilateral organizations, Invest Pacific will oversee the structuring of key investment projects aimed at positioning the region as a strategic hub for businesses committed to reducing their carbon footprint. These projects include:
A Strategic Hub for Foreign Investment
Foreign investment continues to be a key driver of economic and social development in Valle del Cauca, fostering the creation of more formal, high-quality jobs. Today, over 200 foreign-owned companies operate in the region, accounting for approximately 34% of exports, 21% of regional GDP, and 5% of formal employment.
