The Duty Free Zone of Baru in Panama last week exported the first 10 tons of farmed bluefin tuna towards the market of Japan. The tuna farm Planta Atunera de Baru is located in this area. The tuna farm has two large cages containing about 50 tons of tuna each.
The Duty Free Zone Manager, Max Castrellón, informed that last Thursday the first export test was carried out in the company Planta Atunera de Baru. “All the tuna leaving the farm is exported to Japan, country where the processing will initially takes place, because the processing facilities have not yet been constructed. Still, following exports are planned to be processed in the Armuelles Port, he assured.
Castrellón also emphasized “this first export represents the beginning of the development of the Duty Free Zone of Baru, and can therefore be said that it has started on the right track and hope that it continues this way for benefit of all the localsâ€.
Castrellón indicated that Baru is now waiting for the results on the environmental impact study (EIA), so that it can proceed with the construction of the tuna processing facilities. The construction work is planned to commence within three months.
According to Castrellón, all the equipment is being prepared in Spain and will be exported to Panama and then transported to Baru in the province of Chiriqui. “We are waiting for the conclusion on the environmental impact study so that the National Environmental Authority gives the approval and thus enabling us to initiate construction worksâ€, he said. The area where the tuna plant will be located is to be closed off within the next 15 days.
The Duty Free Zone manager indicated that the total investment for the farm and tuna processing plant is USD 14 million. The facilities will provide jobs to 600 locals, 70% of which will be women.
Castrellón also mentioned that the Duty Free Zone is an investment promoter, and is working in the Asian and South American markets to attract more investors to Baru.
Baru trusts on welcoming many more investors – just as the tuna company – to this area, which has lived in financial difficulties for years.