Interview with Antonio Celia, interviewed by Andrea Lluch, Bogotá, Colombia

Antonio Celia is known for his long and successful career as CEO of Promigas, a major natural gas company in Colombia. In the interview, Celia describes his early years in business working in the finance industry as a credit analyst, the chain of events that caused him to switch gears and enter the natural resources industry. He discusses some of the challenges he faced making this major transition, both with regards to gaining knowledge of and experience in this new industry, as well as managing a "mixed-economy company" that had stakes owned by both the state and private stockholders. Celia concludes the interview by speaking broadly about the state, the nature of economic policy, and Colombia's prospects for future growth. Although he speaks optimistically about the increase of dialogue about issues such as good corporate governance and human rights, he admits that the issue of corruption is still endemic in Colombian society. Celia explains his view that the solution is not necessarily more or harsher legal codes and penalties, but a serious engagement with, and reform of, Colombia's "ethical bedrock". Celia explains how he had to navigate the complex regulatory environment ass