COMPLEX ENGINEERING
TBY talks to Jaime Blandón, General Manager, IEB, on the sector.
How do you evaluate the evolution of your company over its 28 years?
Colombia is a country that has been growing in terms of engineering. In line with this trend and vision, we aim to create a company to supply high-quality engineers and specialized consulting and engineering services. We aim to execute works that traditionally were contracted to foreign companies since there was no local supply for executing such sophisticated works. Upon entering different segments of the energy sector, we realized that we have excellent human talent and competitive price levels. For example, we charge hourly fees of around USD30 for highly-skilled human talent, which is a competitive price hardly found in any country in the world. We have been growing to such an extent that we now offer specialized engineering services in 30 countries.
What are your prospects for 2018?
We have not evolved in a significant way over the last two years, as we have been conservative regarding new projects due to the political and economic uncertainty caused by the peace process; however, we are sure the engineering business is going to grow. As such, we are expecting significant growth from mid-2018 onward. Despite the changing political landscape, we will grow by at least 10% due to our already secured projects.
What makes IEB the choice provider for engineering services, and what is your strategy to attract international companies to work with you?
Our strategy is based on attracting and growing a select client base. In other words, we do not sell to anyone but rather a niche that needs the services we supply; we search for large companies like Ecopetrol. The reason these companies choose us is because of our knowledge—IEB is an engineering firm that solves extremely complex engineering problems.
COMPLEX ENGINEERING
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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