Panama Signs Free Trade Deal With
Canada
Panama - Panama and
Canada on Tuesday signed a free trade
agreement (FTA) after the conclusion of
bilateral trade talks.
The deal was signed by Panamanian President
Ricardo Martinelli and visiting Canadian
Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"The FTA between Panama and Canada
represents a good opportunity to export our
products, the goods we produce and the
services we give," Martinelli said after
signing the agreement.
"We have achieved an agreement of great
trade possibilities with fair benefits for
both countries," the president added.
Harper, who is paying the first official
visit to a Central American country, said
this is a historical agreement achieved in
the middle of a global recession.
"There are times when we must face together
the great changes produced by the global
recession," Harper said, adding that the
agreement could become a role model for
other nations, a proof of friendship and
determination to assure a brilliant future
for the two peoples.
Under the agreement, Panama's fresh and
processed maritime products, representing 30
percent of its exports to Canada, will have
better access to the Canadian market.
The deal will also strengthen bilateral
cooperation between private and state-owned
companies, universities and institutes and
promote
Panama as a logistic center for Canadian
companies.
The FTA still needs parliamentary approval
in both nations to take effect.
The Panama deal was Canada's eighth such
agreement since Harper took office in early
2006.
In May, Canada and the European Union signed
a deal to open talks on a comprehensive
trade agreement. |
