As rubble clears, Colombia begins focusing on recovery after the earthquake - Al Jazeera

“Colombia is shifting from emergency response to a structured recovery phase after a 6.8‑magnitude earthquake that caused roughly $9.6 billion in damages and left thousands homeless. President Gustavo Petro has unveiled a multi‑year reconstruction plan that leans on public‑private partnerships, while international donors and celebrities such as Shakira have pledged funds for schools and health centers. For U.S. businesses, the rebuilding effort opens opportunities for construction firms, engineering consultants, and renewable‑energy providers to secure contracts abroad, potentially boosting export services and creating jobs domestically. Expert Analysis: The scale of Colombia’s reconstruction mirrors past post‑disaster recoveries that have acted as catalysts for foreign‑direct investment, especially from U.S. firms with expertise in resilient infrastructure. If American companies capture even a modest share of the projected $10 billion rebuild budget, it could translate into a measurable uplift in U.S. construction‑related exports over the next 3‑5 years.”