In 1979, the companies of the Colon Free Zone formed an association, the Users Association of the Colon Free Zone, to represent their collective interest. The concept was proposed by Jose Bettsak, founding president and current vice president, who was able to encourage other business leaders to come together to unite and defend their rights and interests. “We have won important battles on behalf of our members throughout our over 28 years in service,” says Bettsak.

One the association’s important mandate is to help maintain the Colon Free Zone’s level of competition, to attract foreign investment, and to assist in the formation of new companies. “As members we are contributing to the daily success of the Colon Free Zone making it the best free trade area in the world,” he said.

“We have met many challenges at this time of globalization and open markets and still remain the second largest free zone in the world,” said Luis Chen, executive member of the association and vice president of Vanidades Zona Libra, a company importing and exporting Chinese products in the free zone.

Another association executive member, George Punjabi, indicates strong support of the Colon Free Zone’s administrative board and the current general manager. “Nilda Quijano once worked with us and knows the issues. We meet the daily challenges supporting each other. Together, we promote the Free Zone as a logistic center of international commerce both at home and abroad. Yet we never forget our obligations to the province of Colon. Nilda has done a wonderful job in the short time she has been the general manager of the administration, and (in) the many years she has worked in the free zone. Together we try to give back to the community,” said Punjabi.

Since its formation, the association has maintained an active participation in decision making for the zone on many issues such as transportation, roads, airports, seaports, security, customs, and commercial exchange. Past president of the association, Severo Sousa, as a representative of the association, now holds the presidency of the private sector association of Panama and is highly regarded in political and business circles.

Founding President, Bettsak declares that Sousa is one of their assets, explaining “his voice is important in all the right circles.” The current president of the association, David Cohen is considered “one of the best leaders of the 28 years and meets the daily challenges with confidence, dedication, and commitment to the members and their interest,” pointed out Bettsak who himself is the transformational leader behind the scenes. Not only did he bring the association into being, he ensures it functions as envisaged and that the executive members are given all the support and empowerment to meet their common goals.