Charleston mayor John Tecklenburg announces the Panama City mission Friday morning

It marks the first time the Holy City will send delegates to the Central American country since the two municipalities signed a sister city agreement in 2016. The visit is set for October 16-20, 2018 and is part of a partnership between Sister Cities International and the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

“My hope in signing our sister city agreement with Panama City was that it would help us to foster civic, cultural and educational development and business tied between our two port cities,” Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said.

Visitors will meet with municipal leaders from Panama City, conduct business meetings and tour the Panama Canal. It’s designed to promote business tourism and cooperation between the agencies within the two cities.

“It is no secret that a part of our state’s success is within exporting,” South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said. “We look forward to assisting our small businesses with strategic direction to expand their global reach.”

Source WMBF News Staff