A new "Free Zone" for Panama

Panama boasts one of the largest "Export Free Zones" in the world (second only to Hong Kong in throughput terms). The zone is based in the City of Colon, at the Carribean entrance to the Panama Canal. Now, a new Special Economic Zone has been ratified by the Government, its to be called "Panama Pacfico". Following a transparent auction process (managed by the World Bank), the London and Regional Property Group has won the right to develop the new zone, to be sited at the old Howard Air Base, very near to where my cousin lives. My cycling trips take me past the airstrip and other buidings which will form the basis of the "new city district" planned for the mixed use site. London and Regional's press release is reproduced here. Its a very long term project which will shatter the peaceful tranquility currently enjoyed by us residents of "Howard" but with 20,000 jobs predicted ..... it will be unstopppable......and a welcome development for businesses that want to locate in Panama but prefer the climate, and the city location of Howard rather than the dour, year round rain of the Colon side.