📖 About Cali

Cali is Colombia's third-largest city and the undisputed salsa capital of the world. The city is emerging as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment in 2025, with new projects from Costa Rican company Intelicolab (IT & Software) and South Korean company NovePharma-Hermosa (cosmetics and personal care) confirming their first investments in the city.

Colombia's economy grew 2.7% year-over-year in Q1 2025, led by household consumption. The Valle del Cauca region benefits from industrial development—German company Bayer confirmed its new iHub La Tupia Research Center in nearby Pradera for regenerative agriculture research. Fleischmann Colombia inaugurated a new effluent treatment plant in Palmira, reducing pollutant load by 92%.

The Colombian government adopted the Política Nacional de Reindustrialización 2024-2034 to shift from extraction-based economics to knowledge-driven production. DANE data shows entertainment sector growth of 11.3% and agriculture at 5.3%. The September 2025 tax reform proposal aims to raise 26.3 trillion pesos. Cali's diversified economy—spanning manufacturing, agriculture, services, and now Korean and international FDI—positions it for continued growth.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Cali's economy spans manufacturing, services, agriculture, and emerging technology sectors. Korean investment through NovePharma-Hermosa and international FDI from Costa Rica and Germany demonstrate investor confidence. The Valle del Cauca sugarcane industry remains economically significant. The 2.7% national GDP growth and reindustrialization policy support regional development.

Salsa defines Cali's cultural identity—the city claims the world's highest concentration of salsa schools and hosts the annual Feria de Cali. Afro-Colombian heritage influences music, dance, and cuisine. The Cali Pacific coast connection brings seafood traditions. Colonial San Antonio contrasts with modern business districts. The city's warm climate and welcoming character attract visitors seeking authentic Colombian experience.

📜 History

Cali was founded in 1536 by Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar. The city developed as an agricultural center, with sugarcane becoming economically dominant. In the 20th century, industrialization diversified the economy while salsa music, arriving from Cuba and New York, became integral to Caleño identity.

The 1990s brought challenges from drug trafficking, but subsequent decades saw dramatic improvement in security and economic development. Today's Cali leads Colombia's Pacific region, attracts international investment, and maintains its cultural prominence. The 2025 FDI from Korea and other countries signals Cali's emergence as a competitive destination for global business.