Panama strengthens collaboration with UK, Belgium, and Ukraine.


News from Panama / Friday, October 18th, 2024

To foster new opportunities for investment and collaboration, Panama has been actively engaging in discussions with international partners across various sectors. Recently, Panama’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Julio Moltó, participated in a video call with Gennadiy Chyzhykov, the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine. This meeting aimed to explore potential partnerships in key areas such as trade, agriculture, transportation, logistics, financial services, and information technology (IT). Ukraine, a prominent grain producer and a leader in software development and cybersecurity, expressed strong interest in deepening trade relations with Panama. This aligns with discussions held previously between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino at the 79th UN General Assembly in New York. As part of their ongoing efforts, Ukraine is set to open an embassy in Panama by 2025, which will serve as a strategic link for strengthening diplomatic and trade relations with Latin America.

In addition to Ukraine, Panama is also hosting various international delegations seeking to expand business opportunities. A high-level commercial delegation from the Walloon Region of Belgium is currently visiting Panama to enhance trade ties and explore sectors such as health, aeronautics, agri-food, telecommunications, and culture. Organized by the Walloon Agency for Export and Foreign Investments (AWEX), the visit includes meetings with local authorities and the exploration of projects such as the Pharmaceutical Hub, an initiative designed to enhance the country’s position as a global health and pharmaceutical center.

Furthermore, a UK trade mission has also arrived in Panama, comprising high-level officials and infrastructure sector companies. This mission is part of Panama’s broader effort to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), especially in areas prioritized for national development, such as infrastructure. The delegation is set to meet with key entities like the Panama Canal Authority, Panama Metro, Tocumen Airport, and the newly created Secretariat of the David-Panama Train. A key objective of the mission is to explore investment opportunities in Panama’s infrastructure, with particular emphasis on financing through the UK Export Finance Agency, which aims to support large-scale infrastructure projects. Minister Moltó highlighted Panama’s competitive advantages, including the Special Regime for the Headquarters of Multinational Companies, which offers a favorable tax environment and positions the country as an ideal hub for regional and global operations.

Together, these international engagements underscore Panama’s growing role as a strategic partner for global business and trade, leveraging its geographic location, favorable business environment, and ongoing efforts to position itself as a regional hub for investment and collaboration across multiple sectors.