BEYOND BOGOTÁ
TBY talks to José Gabriel Cano Hernández, President of Cano Jiménez, on project proposals, new markets, and emerging opportunities.

BIOGRAPHY
José Gabriel Cano Hernández was born in Bogotá in 1953. He graduated as a civil engineer from the Universidad la Javeriana, and is Partner, Founder, and President of Cano Jiménez. He holds an MBA from the University of Miami with a specialization in management and accounting from the Universidad de los Andes. He has dedicated most of his career to directing projects on road infrastructure, planning, and design of related concessionary projects, as well as aqueduct and sewage systems. He is also passionate about the development of residential projects that contribute to the local environment and communities.2017 marked the 35th anniversary of the inception of Cano Jiménez. How have your operations developed in the last few years?
This organization has three lines of business and each line has its own management team. Our holding company is Cano Jiménez Estudios, which was founded 35 years ago, and in the last two years we have been focused on engineering design and consulting. We have been supporting the 4G programs of the national government. We have also been working on designs for the construction of highways and doing proposals for PPPs. These proposals are focused on different types of construction projects that we evaluated; thus far, this has been our focus in the last two years. In the past, we lost the bid with two of our partners from Spain for the metro in Bogotá. Our proposal was for an underground metro, and the mayor changed the project to an aboveground metro system because the budget was not big enough. Therefore, we started our second proposal for an over-ground metro system, which is less expensive than the underground system originally proposed. We hope to meet the mayor's expectations so that we can start work on these important projects for the city. In terms of construction and infrastructure, we are working on extensions for the water and sewage systems. This plan is being developed in a way that minimizes disruptions for citizens. Currently, we have been developing these conversations with EPM in Medellín and Acueducto in Bogotá. Regarding real estate, we are developing homes for the upper class; Oceisa does our real state work while Promobily has been our promoter of real estate projects. We have been providing solutions to our customers for a better quality of life. We are implementing a new roof garden design, including community spaces for eating, playing, exercise, gatherings, city views, and more. In the last two years, sales have fallen slightly; however, this green proposal has resulted in great sales figures. For 2018, we have three large, new projects coming and we are currently completing 165 apartments in a project called Botanika Telus in Bogotá.
Do you plan to enter into a new market?
In auditing and design, we want to be in Costa Rica, Panama, and Peru. In construction and infrastructure, we are working on proposals for Panama and are exploring a new business in Peru. Our main customers are in Bogotá; our designers and construction company have a full national market. Some have international businesses as well. In terms of our auditing business, we will start some projects with Peruvian companies in Cajamarca considering that the area has great problems because of excessive rain.
What is your forecast for the construction sector in 2018?
We are waiting for the Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial (POT), which is the guide that will help us understand how the city will be developed. With this plan, the demands on the industry will grow. Currently, we see great results with the upper-middle class; however, thus far, our goal has only been the upper class.
What are your main goals and priorities for 2018?
In 2018, we will continue to participate in our design and audit market considering that our market will be slightly restricted because of the 4G programs. We want to increase our international presence, especially in Peru and Panama. We will continue to work on the local business, though our main goal is international business. Regarding sanitation services and extensions for water and sewage, we expect to see an increase in our demand. Regarding real estate, we will launch a project for upper and upper-middle classes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Guest Speaker
François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, Canada
TBY talks to François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade of Canada, on making globalization work for all Colombians and Canadians, supporting the environment and mutually progressive causes, and increasing technological and educational ties.
read articleInterview
Juan Gabriel Pérez, Executive Director, Invest in Bogotá
TBY talks to Juan Gabriel Pérez, Executive Director of Invest in Bogotá, on rounding a turning point, the opportunities for foreign investment in infrastructural PPPs, and finding the perfect investors for adding value on a local scale.
read articleInterview
Patricia Tovar, Executive Director, Colombian British Chamber of Commerce (Britcham)
TBY talks to Patricia Tovar, Executive Director of Colombian British Chamber of Commerce (Britcham), on finding new strategies in trying times, supporting Colombians investing in the UK, and the rising importance of ecotourism.
read articleInterview
Orlando Velandia Sepúlveda, President, Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH)
TBY talks to Orlando Velandia Sepúlveda, President of Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH), on Tax Refund Certificates, developing pedagogical programs, and the Territorial Strategy of Hydrocarbons.
read articleInterview
Diego León Vélez Velásquez, General Manager, Ingeniería y Gestión Administrativa (IGGA)
TBY talks to Diego León Vélez Velásquez, General Manager of Ingeniería y Gestión Administrativa (IGGA), on predial management, virtual technical file, and working with different economic models.
read articleInterview
Iván Herrera, Vice President , Business Solutions and Government of Huawei Colombia
TBY talks to Iván Herrera, Vice President of Business Solutions and Government of Huawei Colombia, and Cao Wei, Country Manager of Consumer Business Group of Huawei Colombia, on their growth plans for the country.
read articleInterview
Carlos Alberto García Montes, General Director, National Institute of Roads (INVIAS)
TBY talks to Carlos Alberto García Montes, General Director of the National Institute of Roads (INVIAS), on developing Colombia's road networks, linking intermodal transport, and establishing private partnerships.
read articleInterview
María del Carmen Araujo Grijalva, Executive President, Hidalgo e Hidalgo (HeH) Colombia
TBY talks to María del Carmen Araujo Grijalva, Executive President of Hidalgo e Hidalgo (HeH) Colombia, on contributing to productivity and growth in Colombia, working closely with local communities, and areas of opportunity.
read articleInterview
Santiago José Castro Agudelo, Rector, Universidad La Gran Colombia
TBY talks to Santiago José Castro Agudelo, Rector of Universidad La Gran Colombia, on providing first-rate affordable education, constantly innovating whilst remaining true to one's values, and changing Colombia's risk-adverse culture.
read articleInterview
Andres Hernandez, General Manager, Mareauto Colombia S.A.S,
TBY talks to Andres Hernandez, General Manager of Mareauto Colombia S.A.S, AVIS Colombia, on outgrowing the market by legions, providing customers with an unforgettable experience, and offering a timeless premium service.
read articleReview
City of Gold
Colombia's regulatory policies are generally regarded as welcoming to foreign investment, as seen by the World Bank's 2018 Doing Business report, which ranked the country's business environment 59th globally. Chief among the country's appeal to foreign investors are its stable political and economic system, rich natural resources, and geographically important location at the crossroads of two oceans and continents.
read article