Trade progress pleases Panama
Ottawa Citizen, Canada
Trade progress pleases Panama
By Jennifer Campbell, Citizen Special
5 November 2008
A delegation of Panamanian trade officials was in Ottawa last week to launch free-trade negotiations with the Canadian government. The first round of negotiations came after a successful "exploratory process," including one meeting in Ottawa in May and another in Panama City in July. The Canadians also undertook a month-long consultation with Canada’s provinces and territories as well as with businesses, industry associations and the public.
For Panamanian Ambassador Romy Vasquez, the negotiations represent years of laying the groundwork and pushing for such an agreement, something she had on her to-do list when she arrived in Canada in February 2005. Her term ends sometime next spring.
"For me, this is three-star super news because this is what I’ve been working for," Ms. Vasquez said. "So if we can sign or agree on something before I go, then it’s five stars. And myself, I’m pushing everywhere I go for support."
While negotiations were going on, she facilitated "parallel meetings" because a representative from the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce came along. "We always travel with the private sector for these negotiations," she said.
During those talks, they discovered that Panama and Canada’s approaches to the current economic crisis are similar because their banking institutions are similarly conservative. Panama, because it’s a service economy, won’t be hit as hard as other countries, she said. Last year’s national growth was 11.4 per cent and it is expected to hold at nine per cent this year.
"This is good news for Canada because it will provide a market to Canada for products and services in the sense that if your next-door neighbour, your principal partner, is going through a hard time, at least the free-trade agreement will open other doors for Canadians," Ms. Vasquez said. "That was important to discover."
Ms. Vasquez said she hopes the free -trade agreement will also make movement of people, including students, easier. "And, it’s important to note that Panama is a platform for any Canadian company. Panama is a hub, it has the connectivity, it has the air transport and ports. So I think it’s a great idea to have an FTA."
She’s convinced it will happen. An air agreement was negotiated and signed by former Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon who is now foreign affairs minister. She believes that Stockwell Day, the new trade minister, also supports the idea.
"It’s a long process, and in my opinion, this is going faster because it’s bilateral," she said. "Plus, it opens a good window for Canadian companies."
Ms. Vasquez said the one-on-one negotiations are simpler. Other such negotiations between Canada and South and Central America involve several countries.
The next round takes place in Panama in December.
