Prensalibre | 6/15/2011

Panama seeks FTA with Caribbean countries

Panama will attend the Caribbean Investment Forum in Trinidad and Tobago, to offer Caribbean countries like Barbados, Belize and Jamaica free trade agreements negotiations, according to an official source.

The Panamanian delegation will be headed by Deputy Minister of International Economic Negotiations, Francisco Álvarez de Soto, who will travel tomorrow to Port of Spain to participate in the business forum organized by the Commonwealth Business Council and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Trinidad and Tobago, which will take place on the 13th and 14th of June.

The Panamanian Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Mici) said in a statement that the meeting will be attended by government and business sector representatives of the Caribbean region and of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

For Panama’s Trade Minister, Roberto Henríquez, "Mici presence in this important forum for Caribbean investment demonstrates by facts the commercial interest of Panama on the Caribbean region", says the statement.

He stressed within this region, the importance that Trinidad and Tobago has, "especially now that we have successfully completed a trade negotiation process that provides us with the first trade agreement with a member of Caricom (Caribbean Community)".

During the sessions of this international forum, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to discuss and analyze topics such as natural resources development and business and investment opportunities in sectors such as energy, telecomunications, agribusiness or food and beverage industry.

Also, about manufacturing, development of special economic zones and small and medium enterprises, promoting trade and investment between the countries of Caricom and Latin America, or the access of new sources of financing in the capital markets and financial services.