Workers and businessmen  in the Colon Free Zone have called for the reactivation of commercial activity to alleviate damage caused by COVID-19..

.Daniel Rojas, president of the Colón Free Zone Users Association (AUZLC) said on Wednesday: “We are ready and willing to resume activities in the Free Zone, we know the importance and understand the requests of workers to return to their jobs We also understand and will comply with the protocols required by the Ministry of Health for the reopening of establishments.

"The economic hub located in the Panamanian Caribbean, is an autonomous institution that generates 20,000   direct jobs and that in recent years has contributed about $15 million to the state coffers.

“ However, since 2012 - when it registered a turnover of $30 million - it has marked a gradual decline. As an example in 2019, commercial activity decreased 40.2%. In addition to the above, in the first quarter of this year a drop of 17% was reflected versus 2019, which also marked negative figures.

"We are more than 1,600 companies that urgently require the friendly and supportive hand of the State, to adapt our free zone to the changes that are coming," said Rojas.The AUZLC has delivered vouchers or bonds worth $40 to just over 500 families from different communities in the province of Colón affected by the pandemic. "This is only palliative to the benefits of generating jobs again," said the businessman.

The  Free Zone is ready to continue selling, we have our hub , our position, "said  Rojas. the representative of the ZLC.The National Government conditioned the gradual reopening of the different economic activities through six blocks, beginning on May 13 with the first of which included electronic commerce, mechanical and spare parts workshops, technical services such as plumbers, electricians, maintenance of air conditioning, elevators, pool maintenance, artisanal fishing and industrial aquaculture.The reopening of the Free Zone is located in block 3 with the retail and wholesale trade, car sales, professional and administrative services, construction of private projects are located. But no date has been set.