At a cost of US$33 million, the Republic of Panama and Costa Rica inaugurated the new Paso Canoas Integrated Control Center (CCI), which is the first border post built within the framework of the Border Integration Program, since it makes the passage of goods and people with modern, digitized and safer technology.

This CCI responds to a double-header model, with optimized and digitized processes, which is a single control stop by users and carriers in the destination country. At the border post there will be authorities from both nations of 19 institutions, including customs, migratory, agricultural, health, police, transport and support.

With the modernization of this border post there will be greater efficiency in trade between the two countries, boosting economic growth and the creation of jobs in the area; in addition to improving security and reducing risks of illegal activities at the border.

The president of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen indicated that the opening of the CCI, reaffirms the cooperation between the two nations to combat the risks that remain on the common border such as drug trafficking, smuggling and irregular migration.

He pointed out that the opening of the modern facilities, whose investment was financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is a firm sign of Panama’s commitment to the Border Integration Program (PIF) and the Customs Logistics Integration Program and to the modernization of operations at the common border.

For his part, the President of Rodrigo Chaves that the new position adds value to the trade between Panama and Costa Rica and that together they will work side by side with nine Panamanian authorities, just as he highlighted the solid history of relations of both countries on a friendly border, in two countries that do not have armies.