Panama and Japan will strengthen trade relations.

The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, held a meeting this Saturday with the Foreign Minister of Japan, Toshimitsu Motegi, in the presidential palace, in which issues related to the Panama Canal, the increase in the commercial relationship, the interest from Japanese investment in the country, donations to alleviate the pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics and regional affairs.

Foreign Minister Motegi expressed to President Cortizo Cohen the interest of the Japanese government in increasing investments and strengthening the commercial relationship between the two nations. Motegi particularly pointed out his government's interest in investing in the tunnel to be built below the Panama Canal and noted Japan's interest in providing quality infrastructure for Metro Line 3, which is currently being built towards Panama Oeste.

Given what was expressed by the Japanese Foreign Minister, President Cortizo Cohen said that the proposal will be analyzed by the Panamanian team in charge of the construction of the tunnel.

President Cortizo Cohen announced that to strengthen this commercial and investment relationship between the two countries, Panama and Japan should appoint a team to study the possibility of increasing exports and strengthening investments, taking advantage of the public-private partnership law.

 

Cortizo Cohen announced that the Panamanian Foreign Ministry is organizing a tour to Japan next year, whose delegation should be made up of government officials and private sector businessmen. However, he stressed that before that tour the binational team must be formed and installed so that the mission to Japan is a success.