Colombia’s most prominent business association approved a new president and vice-president for the 2013-2014 period, in an unanimous vote held Tuesday.
Andres Saldarriaga Sanin was the man chosen by the Board of Directors to lead the National Association of Colombian Businesses (ANDI), a non-profit conglomerate of major Colombian business leaders that lobbies for policy changes, promotes Colombian business interests and generally presents a united front for dealings with the Colombian government, the international business community and other non-governmental bodies within Colombia.
Saldariaga had been the President of the CONTREGAL agricultural feed company for 33 years, and an active ANDI member for the past 45, prior to his election as ANDI President.
His vice-President, Rodolfo Plata, is the general manager for the Barranquillita Ice Factory, and had served on various sectional boards within the ANDI prior to his election to the national vice-presidency.
Among other initiatives, the ANDI group has been a strong proponent of free trade in Colombia, collaborating with similar organizations in the United States and Europe to lay out the frameworks of eventual deals between those countries.
The ANDI President and Vice-President each serve one year terms, before the Board gathers again for another election.