trade

Panama officials to visit Mexico

Trade officials will meet with Mexican counterparts to negotiate expanding business opportunities between the two countries in areas such as agriculture and technology.

Trade relations between Panamanian businesses and the state of Jalisco in Mexico have begun to take shape.

There will be a Panamanian trade mission heading there to meet with officials from that area in November, the Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias has confirmed.

Among the potential businesses being discussed is the possibility of importing tequila in bulk for bottling and marketing within Panama.

“This will require assessing the feasibility of constructing a plant in Panama for the proper processing and packaging of this product,” said Severo Sousa, deputy minister of Comercio Exterior.

Officials will also discuss expanding trade opportunities between the two entities in the areas of agriculture, industry, tourism, technology, transportation and logistics. The Mexican state has made public its desire to lease space within the Colón Free Zone in order to improve its business opportunities in South America.

At present, the governments of Panama and Mexico are in the process of resuming negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement, a process which was suspended in 1997 due to differences on several issues.