Are you aware of the benefits of investing in Colombia?

The principle of Universality Principals for investment prevail in Colombia, and it may be applied in any economic sector with specific exceptions. In addition to this, one of the main benefits foreign investors receive from the country is equal treatment, which consists of rejecting discriminatory deals and not allowing for an imposition of any unfavourable treatment for foreign investors.

Foreign investors do not require any authorization to carry out their investment or incorporate their companies, with the exception of special policies that require authorization from official authorities, such as the mining or hydrocarbon sector, insurance companies, television or financial sector entities. Foreign investors also have the right to legal security and stability, which includes regulations for reimbursement of investments.

9juris® assists you during the design and execution of your investment's legal strategy

9Juris® services for foreign investors:

9juris®, advises foreign investors that wish to have long-term investments in Colombia through direct investment in national companies, or those who seek short-term investments in portfolios. It also advises Colombian investors that wish to invest abroad. Among the services provided by 9juris® we include:

• • Advisory and consultancy in foreign investment operations.

• • Representation before foreign investors.

• • Registration of international investments before competent authorities.

• • Legal assistance in foreign investment processes in Colombia.

• • Representation of the company before inspection, control and oversight authorities.

Do you need legal representation in your commercial activities?

Within the services provided by 9juris®, and as a supplement to all the different corporate operations of 9ilc®, we are capable of advising you during your negotiations and commercial contract executions, at a national and international level. We offer the following services, among others:

• • Structuring commercial operations and private and public contracting processes.

• • Reviewing and preparing commercial contracts.

• • Assistance, execution, development and settlement of contracts.

• • Legal representation before clients in their commercial relationships.

• • Preparation of concepts related to commercial law.

Foreign exchange elements to be considered by the foreign investor

In Colombia, foreign exchange policies are simple and manageable for foreign investors, as well as regulated by Banco de la República (Central Bank); whereas the ministries and the superintendence are responsible for overseeing compliance.

It is mandatory for all foreign investment to be registered before Central Bank; who controls operations such as imports, exports, investments of Colombia abroad, foreign debt, endorsements and guarantees in foreign currency and other related operations.

Foreign investment registration grants the investor all exchange rights to capital repatriation and re-investment, and entitles the investor to the profit resulting from the corresponding investment.

At 9juris® we guarantee proper advisory, protecting the investor from losing exchange rights due to errors when entering capital into Colombia.

The importance of selecting a proper corporate attorney

We are currently in a completely globalized world with cross border information and communication flows, and more profound and ample international relationships that cover a variety of cultural, economic, political, financial and commercial activities, where it is necessary to have the proper representation in order to achieve successful negotiations. This is why the common attorney profile has evolved, entrepreneurs seek an attorney with an added value that facilitates business and fosters the commercial development of their companies; they no longer only need knowledge around current regulations in terms of foreign investment and corporate law, they must know about the market and become familiar with their clients.

The attorneys in our 9juris® team are capable of advising and assisting national and international entrepreneurs in the following matters:

Corporate Law

Advisory with respect to the incorporation, operation and settlement of corporate entities under the Colombian regime.

• • Incorporation, management and representation of offshore partnerships.

• • Advisory for the purchase and sale of companies.

• • Due diligence

• • Development of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, executive planning and organizational culture transformation schemes.

• • Mergers, acquisitions, divisions, and asset, liability and contract assignment.

• • Settlement of management conflicts among companies in Colombia.

• • Representation of the company before inspection, control and oversight authorities.

How can you hire your employees?

It is necessary to know consider the labour laws and the qualifications of the employees, by evaluating them together, to then determine the hiring processes that will allow an integration of human capital, which is necessary for the success of your organizational goals. Foreign workers have the same rights and obligations of Colombian workers. However, when a foreigner is entitled to a work contract in Colombia, the employer and the employee must meet additional obligations according to the migration administrative procedures applicable to foreigners entering the country, as well as the obligations regarding their stay in the country.

9juris® considers the main aspects of corporate labour law:

• • Advisory directed towards providing solutions in terms of human relationships.

• • Advisory when planning personnel, hiring labour, risk prevention, internal guidelines, labour procedures and harassment cases.

• • Recommendations regarding labour legislation.

• • Representation and advisory in administrative and disciplinary processes of the companies.

• • Representation before control and legal entities.