Abelardo de la Espriella and Business Leaders Launch Marshall Plan for Choco

Following the earthquake that struck Choco and 14 other departments in Colombia, President Abelardo de la Espriella visited Quibdó on September 7 to meet with prominent business leaders and government officials. The meeting resulted in what the president has dubbed the "Marshall Plan for Choco," a series of initiatives aimed at revitalizing the region, which has high poverty rates and is often neglected.

Before the announcement, de la Espriella reminded the gathering that the government and business leaders had already contributed over two trillion pesos (US$641 million) to address the emergency caused by the August 10 earthquake. The Marshall Plan includes construction of a boardwalk in Choco's capital city, financing of seed capital for 1,000 affected entrepreneurs, and a major road network, connectivity works, and airport improvements in Bahia Solano.

Other initiatives include a special regime to attract private investment, support for the mining sector, energy modernization projects, and solutions to guarantee energy supply to hospitals. Business leaders from Nubank, Santo Domingo Foundation, Olimpica, Nutresa, Colombina, and Grupo Nutresa have committed to various projects, including financial inclusion for young entrepreneurs, promoting nature tourism, purchasing goods from local producers, and providing scholarships to departmental students.

The government and business leaders also plan to study the feasibility of an interoceanic canal or railway that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through Choco, which could significantly boost regional development.