TAO Minerals Ltd. (fka TAON)

[olympus]

Worth Investment??

Invest in Colombia


"Our work team, most of it formed by Colombians, has an amazing level of entrepreneurial and managerial spirit within quality standards that can easily be compared to the best standards of the world.”

Luis Bernardo Fitero President BBVA Colombia

Recently, some of the most important publications of the world such as the New York Times, the British newspaper The Guardian, the special issue of swimsuits of Sports Illustrated and the travel guide Lonely Planet, have given special attention to the new image Colombia is projecting to the world.

This shift of perception is based on true facts such as the economy growth and the political and economic stability of the country added to the improvement in the security levels, and has produced a positive reaction on the image the Country portrays all over the world. These publications invite investors and tourists to visit the country and to enjoy the multiple attractions Colombia has to offer.


10 reasons to invest in Colombia


1. Macroeconomic Stability

• One of the most stable economies in Latin America.
• Steady economic growth, above Latin American average.
• Achieved growth rate of 5.13% in 2005
• Decrease of Inflation rate over the past few years. 4.83% in 2005
• Decrease of foreign debt in more than 20% of GDP in the past few years (2002: 51% of GDP; 2005: 30.6% of GDP)

2. Political Stability

• All Presidents have been elected within democratic parameters except in the four-year period of 1953-1957 when it went through a military dictatorship.
• According to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2006, Colombia is ranked second in regards of political consistency and transparency on government´s policies.
• President Alvaro Uribe Velez, was reelected for a second straight period (2006-2010) wih 62% of total votes.

3. Competitive and Highly Skilled Labor Force

• Colombia’s workforce is considered to be the best within the Andean Community and it is among the most qualified in Latin America.
• The adult literacy rate in Colombia is one of the highest in Latin America.
• Colombia’s workforce is competitive in terms of labor costs.
• Wages on Service sectors and hourly income for the manufacturing sector are highly competitive when compared to other developing and developed countries.
• In Colombia, specially within the professional level, gender discrimination is not reported.



4. Flexible Labor Regime

Colombia has one of the most flexible labor regimes in Latin America:

• A working day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. makes employer able to hire two working shifts without having to pay extra hours nor night shifts.
• Companies may hire internship students from Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA) through a service rendering contract so the employer does not incur in benefit payment.
• Reduced dismissal indemnity fees

5. Strategic Location

• Colombia is strategically located as a middle point between North and South America.
• Has Pacific and Atlantic coasts and counts on a modern port infrastructure.
• Easy access to North American, European, Asian and Latin American markets.

6. Export Platform and Privileged Access to World Markets

Thanks to the different free trade agreements and some unilateral duty preferences granted, Colombia has access to a 1.200 million people market.
Free Trade Agreements:


• FTA with the US, in ratification process
• Nation Andean Community, CAN (Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Perú and Venezuela)
• Group of Three, G3 (Colombia, Mexico and Panama)
• CAN - MERCOSUR
• Colombia - Chile
• Colombia - CARICOM

Duty Preferences:

• ATPDEA (US)
• Andean SGP (European Union)


7. Special Regimes for Foreign Trade

• 10 Duty Free Zones offering exchange, fiscal and customs incentives.
• 5 Special Economy Export Zones offering exchange, fiscal, customs and labor incentives.
• Incentives for Large Exporters
• Special importing/exporting systems


8. Multiple Development Poles

Colombia has the third largest population of the region with more than 45 million inhabitants.

• One city with more than 7 million inhabitants.
• Three cities with more than 2 million inhabitants.
• Four cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants.
• 23 cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants.


9. Physical Infrastructure

• One of the highest coverage percentage on public services in Latin America.
• High Tech telecommunications infrastructure.
• Increasing investments in transportation infrastructure.
• 6 Maritime ports in the Caribbean and two in the Pacific.
• 5 international airports
• 91% paved main national roads

10. Confidence from Foreign Investors

• Direct Exchange Investment has significantly grown; by 2005, it was placed in US$ 10 375 million.
• More than 700 multinational companies are investing in Colombia.
• Recently, many more multinational companies have placed their confidence in the country’s potential.