Panama to Intensify Export Activity in 2010
PANAMA - The recovery of the export activity
is today one of the priotities of the
Panamanian economy for 2010 in order to
leave behind the adverse effects caused by
the international financial crisis.
According to estimates of Panama's Exporters
Association (APEX), the fall in exports last
year might reach 40 percent. As an example,
figures of the country's Finance Office
indicate that in January-October the
marketing of products like melon and
watermelon fell by 68.5 and 53.4 percent
respectively. That was similar to other
product like banana (44.9 percent) and
pineapple (12.8 percent).
This situation is atributed to several
factors, including the contraction in
markets like United States and Europe, the
main destinations of the Panamanian
products, and also to the loss of benefits
of the Generalized System of Preferences in
the sales to the Old Continent and some
restrictions in financing by the banks.
Because of this situation, the year 2010
begins with measures to favour external
sales, including a new law of industrial
promotion and the promotion certificates to
agro-exports, approved by Congress in
December.
Also there is the influence of the trade
agreements with Costa Rica and Cuba, as well
as the conclusion of negotiations of a
treaty with Canada. |
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