Colon Free Zone offers Vietnamese goods gateway to Latin America

The Colon Free Zone, located at the Atlantic gateway of the Panama Canal, is emerging as a strategic hub for Vietnamese businesses seeking to access Latin American and Caribbean markets. Through warehousing, distribution, and re-export activities, the zone provides a multimodal logistics network that can facilitate easier access to regional customers.

During a recent official visit to Vietnam, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino highlighted the potential for cooperation, stating, “Vietnam produces goods, while Panama connects to the world market.” To further this connection, the Vietnamese Trade Office in Mexico, which also oversees Panama, hosted a conference in Panama City titled “Vietnam - Panama: Export Potential and Business Cooperation Opportunities.”

Established in 1948, the Colon Free Zone has grown into one of the largest free trade and distribution centers in the Western Hemisphere, hosting approximately 2,650 businesses. In 2025, the zone reported a total trade turnover of $22.615 billion, encompassing both imports and re-exports.