Eastern Antioquia is consolidating its position as a pole of attraction for foreign investment, accumulating more than US$200 million in investments in recent years, thanks to its strategic location near the José María Córdova International Airport and the Rionegro Free Trade Zone.  This sub-region, key to the competitiveness of Antioquia and Colombia, has experienced remarkable growth, driven by sectors such as tourism, agribusiness, and aviation.

The region's tourism development has attracted the interest of large international chains, such as Marriott International, which will convert The Brown hotel in Guatapé to its prestigious Autograph Collection brand, reaffirming the area's attractiveness as a first-class destination. In the agroindustrial sector, Pepsico has invested US$90 million in its expansion in Guarne, while the aeronautical sector has experienced a boost with the implementation of Avianca's Aeronautical Maintenance Center (MRO) in Rionegro, consolidating the region as an aviation technical and operational hub.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Oriente grew 174% in the last 11 years, with a sustained increase in value added of over 10%, according to the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Antioquia. “Between 2016 and 2022, the Oriente grew 10.1% annually, consolidating itself as the second most competitive region in Antioquia,” highlighted Camila Escobar, executive president of the entity. This growth is led by the services sector, followed by industry and agriculture, which has driven economic diversification in the region.

The solid infrastructure, the growth in formal employment, with a rate of 56.5% in urban areas, and its key role in electricity generation and ecotourism, make Eastern Antioquia an attractive destination for foreign investors. With a projected growth horizon, this region is emerging as a fundamental axis for the internationalization of Antioquia and Colombia in the coming years.

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