News

The Central Ponce Fire Station has a new system of solar panels and backup batteries, an installation that was made possible thanks to a combined investment of $150,000.00 from Solar Responders, Fundación Plaza del Caribe, Church’s Chicken and Zona Libre del Sur. The new system will ensure that the station’s firefighters and paramedics continue to operate and respond to emergencies when power is interrupted. The station serves more than 150,000 people in 10 municipalities.

PORTA SHIP signs contract with CODEZOL, C.D.- FTZ #163, La Zona Libre del Sur. Lic. Johnny R. Fernández, Director, Codezol, C.D. * Mr. Juan Rivera, President Porta Ship, * Mr. Angel Loyola, Vice President of Operations, * Mr. Carlos J. Velázquez Germain, Vice Principal, Codezol, C.D.

In this publication we include the presentation of the Acting President: Dr. Jaime L Santiago Canet. To see it you can download it in PDF:

The Puerto Rico Trade and Export Company (CCE) signed today, August 4, 2017, a collaboration agreement with the Corporation for the Development of the Ponce Free Zone (CODEZOL, C.D.). This alliance has the purpose of uniting efforts to facilitate the marketing of the facilities of the Ponce Regional Distribution Center and the benefits offered by the Free Zone Program to potential industries and companies interested in this center. This was announced today by the executive director of the CCE, Mr. Ricardo Llerandi, and the president of the board of directors of CODEZOL, Mr. Samuel Torres, accompanied by the mayor of Ponce, the honorable María Meléndez.

“This distribution center has a strategic location that is of great benefit to the companies established there, since it is located next to Puerto Las Américas in Ponce. With this important alliance, companies will have the opportunity to become a free zone, which represents important benefits for companies that can mean a positive impact on operational costs and an alternative that makes it easier for them to expand into new markets. This alliance is part of our ongoing efforts to help companies grow and export,” said Mr. Llerandi.

For his part, Mr. Torres indicated that “this agreement will provide CODEZOL with indoor warehouse spaces, which it currently does not have. It will give us the opportunity to get new clients, who could even use the Port of Ponce to move their merchandise. It will also help create jobs, which are so lacking in this region”.

From Tuesday, September 27 to Thursday, September 29, 2016, the XX International Conference sponsored by the Association of Free Zones of the Americas (AZFA) was held in San José, Costa Rica. Over 400 people from 19 countries attended and very interesting topics were discussed by speakers of international caliber.

CODEZOL C.D. was represented by a delegation from our board of directors. At the event and during the general assembly, our executive director, Lcdo. Johnny R. Fernández Ramírez, was elected as director of the Board of Directors, the only Puerto Rican who belongs to said board. The attorney Fernández also belongs to the Legal Committee of AZFA, a committee created to compare and help improve the different legislations of the different member countries of the organization.

Messrs. Rhett Farber, COO and David Zen, “executive assistant” of ”International Décor Outlets”, meeting with Atty. Johnny Fernandez in Nashville, TN.

In the recent visit carried out by our executive director, Lcdo. Johnny Fernández at the ”NAFTZ Spring Seminar”, held in Nashville, TN on May 23, 2016, had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Rhett Farber, COO of International Décor Outlets. Mr. Farber expressed to Atty. Fernández the interest that his company has in establishing commercial relations in Puerto Rico and using the South Free Zone 163, as his representative on the Island.

We congratulate Dr. Miguel A. Vicens, former employee of CODEZOL CD, for being selected the Teacher of the Year at the University of “Western New Mexico University” and for his appointment as Associate Dean of the aforementioned Business College.