{"value"=>"<p>Subseries consists of official reports and other material dealing with the administration of the Panama Canal. Included is information about the Colon Free Zone, an international trade zone established in an area contiguous to territory under the jurisdiction of the United States. The Colon Free Zone provides investors with free trade privileges and tax concessions as well as advantages to foreign companies which manufacture, process, warehouse, package and label cargo for world distribution. The files include rules and regulations, explanations of the tax advantages, and a position paper written by José Bazan, Second Vice-President of Panama, 1948-1965. Additionally, there is information about the Panama Canal Company, a corporate agency of the United States government which operated the waterway until the treaty of 1977. The material consists of by-laws, press releases, notes, reports and news clippings, 1951-1979. Following the 1977 treaty, the Panama Canal Commission, another United States government agency, became responsible for the operation of the Canal. The new treaty called for a board of directors composed of Americans and Panamanians which was the first step in preparing the Panamanian government to take over the management of the Canal. Documentation for the Panama Canal Commission consists of an annual report, a directory and news clippings.</p>"}