Bolsa Mercantil de Colombia: Best Socio-Economic Impact Commodities Exchange Latin America 2021

Since 1979, Bolsa Mercantil de Colombia (BMC) has contributed to the country’s socio-economic development by providing a cross-sector procurement platform. More recently, BMC bridges the financing gap caused by some banks’ reluctance to extend lending beyond business clients, and opens the markets for SME financing. This was appreciated by many during a widespread lending freeze during the pandemic. Through BMC-member brokerage companies, the exchange connects investors with commodity producers in the agricultural, agro-industrial and energy sectors. BMC saw the introduction of futures and options as a chance to modernise its production model. It provides investors with opportunities and commodity producers with liquidity. BMC has played a pivotal role in the development of Colombia’s natural gas industry. Over the past 6 years, it has collected and compiled transactional and operational data, providing a wealth of information for stakeholders and authorities. The exchange aims to expand the scope of the entire energy market. The BMC supports procurement processes for government agencies at local and national levels. Transparency and efficiency are cornerstones of the BMC playbook — which should help with its mission to open its platforms to more markets. BMC leadership takes a mentoring approach to its team to ensure a continuous and concerted effort to strengthen the Colombian economy and benefit society. The CFI.co judges present Bolsa Mercantil de Colombia with the 2021 award for Best Socio-Economic Impact Commodities Exchange (Latin America).