Cali’s Decrease in Unemployment Generates More Confidence In The City

• Of the four major cities in the country, Cali was the only one to create more jobs and reduce unemployment.

In 2012, 37.000 new jobs were created in Colombia’s third largest city. As well there was a decrease the unemployment rate.

According to the latest survey by the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (Dane) – National Bureau of Statistics –  the unemployment rate declined from 14.1% to 13.2% between October and December 2012, as compared to the same period the year before.

“It is a very positive news for the people of Cali”,  said Cali’s aide to Strategic Planning, Esteban Piedrahita.

In announcing the results of the Dane survey, Piedrahita explained that the city had reversed the trend and created more jobs than the 30.500 lost in 2010 and 2011.

“It’s a very good news for the city, the Administration will continue to work for development”, said Piedrahita.

In previous years, Cali had an unemployment rate as high as 40%, the highest of Colombia’s 13 major cities. Now, commerce, services and construction are the leading sectors paving the way to increased job opportunities.

The outlook for Cali is encouraging. This is confirmed by the city’s ambitious development projects by the local government of mayor Guerrero Velasco, that include a 1.3 billion peso investment to build free housing ad the jarillón works of the Cauca river.

The level of confidence that has generated the municipality has spurred the private sector and the national government pointing at Cali as a city where investors can place their money.