Great idea but poorly handled as we have  built a number of multi-million dollar facilities that sit idle. The only one semi operational is in David.

Seven years after its conceptualization, the ambitious project that initially comprised the creation of eight markets has now been reduced to five, and the first will be ready in 2019.

It has been reported that from 2009 to date, about $300 million has been invested in a project that currently has only one market in operation, David, in the province of Chiriquí. This was inaugurated in 2014, “… despite not having permits for construction, occupation or water supply.”

Prensa.com reported that “…After three years of the Varela administration, it was decided to eliminate the Colon market, the Panama City market remains closed and those in Chitre and La Chorrera are under construction.”

Yoris Morales, president of the Association of Agricultural Producers and Merchants in the Supplies Market, opined that “…The cold chain is in limbo. We must remember that at the beginning of this government the opening of Merca Panama was not an issue of interest, plans were to rent out facilities in Hospital City belonging to the Social Security Fund.”