BRIEFS. Commerce

Free Zone expected to keep getting busier

Despite trade problems between Panama and Colombia, business in the Zona Libre de Colón (ZLC) is reaching record levels.

Business in the zone has increased by $4 billion in two years, and is expected to top $15 billion this year. Business in the zone is expected to increase 14 percent from 2006 to 2007.

"There is only one problem, and that is Colombia," said David Cohen, president of the Asociación de Usuarios de ZLC.

He said, however, that trade with other countries has made up for the problems with that country. Business from Venezuela, for example, has risen dramatically.