Produced for: Embassy of India Panama April 2007
Produced by Investigaciones Mercadologicas

FOREWORD
The Colon Free Zone (CFZ), located at the northern tip of the Panama Canal, is one of the largest free trade zones in the world. Last year, the total trade turnover in this Zone was around US$14.4 billion, with US$6.8 billion imports and US$7.6 billion re-exports. The Zone is used extensively by neighbouring countries of Panama, viz. Colombia, Venezuela, Central American and Caribbean States and others, who make purchases in this local market instead of importing these products from far off continents. The well established business network in the CFZ makes it a convenient commercial hub for exporters as far off as in East Asia, and for buyers in Latin America. The rates of growth in the CFZ are indicative of its increasing popularity.
This study is intended to inform the Indian exporting community, which has so far not made use of the CFZ and the opportunities it offers, to penetrate the South American, Central American and Caribbean markets. It is hoped that this study will generate interest amongst Indian exporters who are seeking to build commercial collaborations with Latin American partners.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Shri B. Rajagopalan, First Secretary (Com) in the Embassy who has worked hard to give final shape to the Market Survey Report as well as to Mr. Manuel Alvarado Guardia, President, Investigaciones Mercadologicas, SA for conducting the Market survey and preparing the report.

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