Expocomer bigger event but deals fewer

EXPOCOMER,Panama, Central America’s biggest trade fair, which ended Saturday April 20 generated about $80 million in transactions plus a $35 million injection into the Panamanian economy.

The news comes from the  organizing committee of the 31st holding of the fair who put a positive spin on the event.

Committee chairman, Raul Delvalle, accompanied by Chamber of Commerce, president José Luis Ford, gave the report at a press conference on the last day of the exhibition.
While the exhibition was bigger with more countries attending, the results were behind those of 2012, likely a reflection of the uncertain world economy.
Delvalle said, the participating companies were able to establish numerous business contacts, which is the most important part of the fair, and several countries have expressed interest in returning next year.
The fair had 10,165 visitors over four days that the fair was open and managed to make 9,525 business contacts and in the "Business Center" 3695 deals were made. In 2012 the figure was 4,650
International attendees collectively occupied nearly 8000 hotel nights and contributions to the country represented by the procurement of services such as airlines, restaurants, advertising materials, temporary employment and other related services.
With a total exhibition area of over 14,000 tsquare meters, the largest in the history of this show, 621 exhibiting companies from 36 countries, occupied over 860 display booths.
Pavilions displayed products ranging from food and beverage lines, to services, textiles, accessories, technology, equipment and construction.
Exhibitors came from: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Korea, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, USA, France, Honduras, Holland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine,UK, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Trade missions also came Bahamas, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
The Expocomer XXXII will be held from March 26 to 29, 2014.