UPDATE 1-Colombia Feb imports soar 35.9 pct over year ago

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BOGOTA, April 24 (Reuters) - Colombian imports rose 35.9 percent in February to $2.31 billion compared with the same month a year earlier while imports for January and February rose 32 percent to $4.62 billion from a year ago, the government said on Tuesday.

Colombia's economy is growing strongly and consumer demand is booming as the country benefits from investment and the security policies President Alvaro Uribe implemented to crack down on left-wing rebels and other armed groups.