Panama approves $4.44 million tech upgrade for Colón Free Zone

Panama’s Cabinet approved Resolution 55‑26, authorising a $4.44 million contract with Sonda S.A. to renew the technology infrastructure of the Zona Libre de Colón (ZLC). The upgrade will replace a decade‑old system that lacks manufacturer support and is vulnerable to cyber‑attacks, essential for the zone’s electronic commercial‑movement platform (DMCE) and the Colón Puerto Libre portal.

The ZLC, which handles more than $25 billion in annual trade, will receive the upgrade in stages, with payment spread over 36 monthly installments. About 41 % of the budget is earmarked for hardware, networking and security, while the remainder covers software, licences, implementation, testing and a three‑year “gold” support package. The contract was approved by the ZLC board and received a favourable opinion from the National Authority for Government Innovation.