Colon Free Zone for an alternative to freight transport blockade on the border with C. R.

The freight blockade at the border with Costa Rica has forced traders Colon Free Zone (ZLC) to opt for the sea route to meet with clients in Central America.

The president of the Association of Users of the FTA, David Cohen, said that has not yet been able to quantify the value of the goods which is held for three days in Paso Canoa, border between Panama and Costa Rica.

However, he noted that users or traders are looking for alternatives such as sea avoiding to stop some activities during the transport strike.

Still, Cohen said that the land route is the most economical and profitable for cargo re-exported from the Free Zone to Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and parts of El Salvador.

Guatemala provided the goods sent by sea.

"That is why we hope to reach an agreement with carriers Panamanians to lift the blockade of the border," said Cohen.

Reports of the FTA argue that re-exports to Central America are worth a million dollars a day or so.