PANAMA – Zientte, a Colombian manufacturer of contemporary furniture and accessories, opened its regional distribution hub for Central America and the Caribbean in Panama. 

A spokesman for the company told EFE that furniture manufactured in its factory in Colombia would be sold in the Panamanian market and also exported to other stores to be opened in other parts of Central America and the Caribbean.

Zientte opened its first store in Panama in April with an investment of more than USD 1.5 million. Deyanara Valenzuela, owner of the regional franchise, said, "We pu our trust in Panama because it has been and will remain an attractive and interesting market, with high percentage of floating population, international diversity, and economic growth among the best on the continent, driven by a very dynamic construction industry, and that will certainly benefit once the expanded Canal is active."

“We’re a franchise in full expansion mode, and this opening in Panama is the beginning of our entry into the Central American market.We’ve come to Panama to stay because we have competitive advantages for developing a market with great potential,” Zientte CEO Eduardo Vergara said. “Growth over the past several years in residential construction, offices and commercial establishments is favorable, as are the large number of hotels, resorts and restaurants in a booming service economy,” he added.

Besides Panama and Colombia, Zientte also has a presence in countries including Ecuador, Venezuela, Canada, Mexico and the United States.