The Nestlé company invested $20 million in Panama in its new distribution center and $75 million in a purchasing hub.
According to representatives from Nestlé, the new distribution center is located in Parque Sur and the investment allowed them to increase their logistics capacity by 40%, and the shopping hub is located in Costa del Este. From there a group of buyers will acquire different categories of Nestlé products for all countries.
The Asian country believes that the improvement in the country's logistical conditions as a result of the Canal expansion, represents an opportunity to set up a distribution platform geared towards Latin America.
"... 'Panama already serves as a bridge, or as a window for the transit of Chinese goods into Latin America, and I think with the logistics development in Panama this role will increase more and will be made more use of by Chinese enterprises'" said the permanent representative at the Office of Chinese-Panamanian Business Development, Wang Weihua, according to Laestrella.com.pa.
Four operators moved about half of the maritime cargo that passed through Guatemalan ports in 2015.
In 2015 maritime cargo moved through port terminals in Guatemala amounted to 26.1 million metric tons (MT).Everseas de Guatemala S.A. transported around 17%, followed by Compañía Guatemalteca de Terminales a Granel S.A. with 16%, and thirdly, Centrans International, with 14%.
Ten companies have already shown interest in setting up in the logistics center to be developed in Tocumen, whose business plan and regulations for a free zone could be ready in September.
Among the activities that will be developed by the companies operating in the logistics park are packing and repacking, as well as product manufacturing and other complementary activities.