1.  And the foreign firms will have to register as Colombian companies.

2.  As recently as least year a Colombian Congressman accused Colombian mining companies of being set up to launder money for the drug trade, and of reporting fictitious exports.

3.  At the same time, high bank interest rates have forced many Colombian companies to raise cash by issuing stock or by selling bonds.

4.  Banco Ganadero and Banco Industrial Colombiano are the only Colombian companies publicly traded in the U.S.

5.  BellSouth would share ownership of Occidente y Caribe with a number of Colombian companies, the largest being utilities.

6.  BIC is one of just two Colombian companies, along with Banco Ganadero, that trade on the New York Stock Exchange.

7.  Cemex lost an attempt last December to buy Cementos Paz Del Rio SA when Colombian company regulators blocked the bid.

8.  Cemex was denied in its bid last December to buy Cementos Paz Del Rio SA, as Colombian company regulators blocked the bid.

9.  Cemex and Colombian company Suramericana de Construcciones SA each offered to buy a controlling stake in Paz Del Rio.

10.  Duff and Phelps has worked for two years in Colombia, rating Colombian companies and public entities.