stylistic:tone, structural:summarization
Economy

To give a boost to the infrastructure development of the city, World Bank (IBRD) loans were sought from 1952 onwards to improve municipal water works, sewage system and slaughterhouse services. Because of its importance in the sector of national economy, the municipality of Barranquilla passed to the category of Special Industrial District and Port in 1993. Barranquilla is a major industrial centre and its economic activity is dynamic, concentrated mainly in industry, commerce, finance, services and fishing. Among the industrial products are vegetable fats and oils, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, industrial footwear, dairy products, meats, beverages, soap, building materials, furniture, plastics, cement, metalworking parts, garments clothing, buses and boats, and petroleum products. Its port is also the hub for cotton from the rural areas, coffee and petroleum, apart from the diversified industrial products manufactured in the city.

The maritime and river ports are engines of the industrial and commercial development of the region. The port of Barranquilla covers two main routes. The Magdalena River connects with the inner country, and the Caribbean Coast, through which millions of tons are traded with the United States, Europe and Asia.

Barranquilla has an international airport, and it is one of the two airports in the country authorized for international cargo. The new Center of Events and Exhibitions of the Caribbean, aims to become the epicenter of business, trade, investment and culture of the Caribbean.

The city’s economic activity is dynamic and focuses mainly on industry, commerce, finance, logistics services and fishing. Industrial products include: vegetable fats and oils, pharmaceutical products, industrial chemicals, shoes, dairy products, soft drinks, construction materials, furniture, plastics, cement, clothes, and metal mechanical parts, among others.

The Arabs (Syro Lebanese) and Jews who were a small group of immigrants to the country in the late 19th century were exclusively involved in commercial activities and made significant value additions to the economy of the Caribbean natural region in Colombia as a whole and Barranquilla in particular. Their prominent presence in the community known as "cosmopolitan bourgeoisie" as social and political elites, which has enabled them to diversify their activities.