‘The main idea of this exhibition is to establish business ties between Panamanian and Chinese businessmen, and that Panama is the opening platform for new products for the region’ , said the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of the Central American nation, Rafael Zuñiga.

In statements to the press, the entrepreneur stated that the aim of the exhibition is to improve people’s understanding about China, show their products, technologies and vision of cooperation, as well as build a platform to facilitate exchanges in economic, trade and culture.

The expo, the largest and highest level held by China in Panama since the establishment of diplomatic relations in June 2017, has the presence of internationally recognized companies such as Cosco Shipping, Air China, Huawei and Xugong Group, among others.

Emerging technology companies such as Keda Xunfei, Beijing Didi Technology and Hytera Communications Corporation are also in attendance. These companies intend to expand their cooperation with the local business community, said Chen Zhou, Chinese VP of the Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

The fair is open until December 6 and is attended by representative companies from the infrastructure construction, equipment manufacturing, transportation logistics, financial services, automotive, artificial intelligence, mobile internet, electronic products and engineering machinery sectors, among others.

More than 3,200 square meters of exhibition area allow the public to appreciate China’s social and economic development, as well as the results of cooperation between both countries.

At the same time as this exhibition, which coincides with the visit of President Xi Jinping, the China-Panama Economic and Commercial Cooperation Forum will be held, with the attendance of representatives of more than 70 finance-related companies from the Asian nation, infrastructure, energy, electricity, minerals and information.

Beijing is currently the second largest trading partner of Panama, the largest source of goods for the Colon Free Zone, from where most Chinese products are re-exported to nearby Latin American and Caribbean countries.

It is also the second largest user of the canal, after the United States, through which in 2016 passed more than 400 vessels, which generated about 150 billion dollars in revenue to Panama.