Over the years, Colombia has become more aware of the significant benefits of free trade zones for the country's development. However, there is still limited understanding of these zones and how they operate. Therefore, we will now discuss the services offered by the Western Free Trade Zone, located in Mosquera, Cundinamarca, to provide you with a better understanding of how these spaces function.
What is the Western Free Trade Zone?
Declared a free trade zone in 2008, we are a green industrial park based on the circular economy and specialize in manufacturing projects linked to the plastics, food, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries, seeking to maximize the benefits it offers to internationalize companies.
At the Western Free Trade Zone, we offer various benefits for companies operating there, in addition to tax and customs benefits. Among the most important are:
- 100% industrial location just 10 km from the city of Bogotá
- Benefits of participating in UNIDO's Eco-Industrial Parks program projects.
- ICA exemption for 8 to 10 years
- Western Regiotram that will connect Bogotá with four municipalities in Sabana Occidente.
- Free advice on special foreign trade operations
- Discount on monthly administration for the recycling generated
- Rainwater free of charge for use in processes that do not require drinking water
Western Free Trade Zone Services
Now that we've seen what the Western Free Trade Zone is and how it works, let's tell you about the different services it offers its clients so you can learn more about this company.
Services for Foreign Investors
Today, Zona Franca de Occidente enjoys a strategic geographic location that includes land available for the development of new projects. In this regard, the company has become an expert in project consulting, including the sale, leasing, and construction of warehouses, plants, and properties that meet the needs of each of its clients, while also taking advantage of the benefits of the free trade regime.
Among the competitive advantages of Colombia as a country, we can mention:
- 24/7 operation.
- Competitive air freight to the United States.
- Leading service in the movement of air cargo in the region.
- The third most qualified workforce in Latin America.
Furthermore, it is the only free trade zone in Cundinamarca that is part of the UNIDO Eco-industrial Parks program , and it also has a rainwater harvesting system with ample capacity available for companies to use free of charge. Its focus is on recycling and the circular economy.
Sale of Lots, Rent or Sale of Warehouses
Secondly, the Free Trade Zone (ZFO) has land with a 100% construction rate, divided into a high occupancy rate of 75% for the covered area and the remaining 25% for loading docks, energy transformers, parking lots, boilers, and open-air storage. In this sense, the Free Trade Zone offers you competitive land for the construction of new projects.
User Operator Service for Free Trade Zones
With over 11 years of experience, Zona Franca de Occidente now has more than 60 companies from various industrial and commercial sectors operating within its Free Trade Zone. This experience allows it to offer Operator User services to the different Permanent and Special Permanent Free Trade Zones in Colombia.
The administration of Zona Franca Occidente highlights that in 2021 it was the only free trade zone in Colombia awarded as the best in the Americas for SMEs by FDI Intelligence . Furthermore, it offers the know-how for the development of environmentally sustainable programs and provides more competitive rates compared to other operating users, tailored to the needs of each new or existing free trade zone, in order to encourage new business and enhance existing clients' existing customers.
As part of the user-operator service for the various free trade zones, ZFO offers the constantly updated "Intercomex" inventory system, ensuring dynamic management that's easy to implement and accessible from any computer or tablet.
Custom Construction
Finally, another service worth highlighting is Built-to-Suit (BTS). In this regard, Zona Franca de Occidente offers comprehensive construction solutions for its clients' projects, starting with the design process based specifically on the space, followed by construction, and ultimately achieving the delivery of fully finished warehouses. It is also important to note that VAT is charged only on the total profit value of the project.
Zona Franca de Occidente adapts each project to the company's production processes, enabling investments to be more efficient and achieving better use of resources. This makes it a great option for national and international entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses in a certified and professional free trade zone.
In conclusion, Zona Franca Occidente offers multiple opportunities and benefits for those who wish to establish a company or business in that territory, as a way to promote industrial and commercial development and generate jobs.