The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Julio Moltó, expressed his optimism about the possibility of Panama being accepted as an Associated State in the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) during the December 2024 summit, and stressed that, despite the initial challenges, the progress achieved shows the National Government’s commitment to Latin American integration and the vision of a prosperous Panama.

“At first, many believed that this was practically impossible, but today it is proof that, with perseverance and work, we can achieve it in a relatively short time,” Moltó said.

He highlighted that integration into the bloc represents a unique opportunity to strengthen trade relations and open new doors to economic development.

The Minister stressed the importance of maintaining a continuous and constructive dialogue with the private sector, ensuring that both large and small and medium-sized enterprises will be fundamental in this process.

“It is crucial to understand the needs of our productive actors and design policies that promote their growth,” he said.

Moltó concluded by emphasizing that Panama’s accession to Mercosur will not only benefit the country, but will also allow the project to be transformed into a reality that benefits all Panamanians.