Panama and Japan Seek to Strengthen Their Trade Relationship

Panamanian trade authorities and representatives from Japan exchanged information to strengthen trade relations between the two countries, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Mici) reported.  According to the entity, Minister Julio Moltó met with the Japanese ambassador to Panama, Hideo Fukushima, and the First Secretary of Economy, Hideaki Kotake.  During the conversation, Panama expressed its interest in becoming a clean energy center and attracting new investments in the sector from Japan.  The meeting highlighted progress towards turning Panama into a regional hub for the semiconductor industry. Another aspect that Moltó highlighted was Panama’s high competitiveness in logistics and the Panamanian nation’s plans to join the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) as an Associate State.