Japanese Businesses Seek to Invest in Panama's Megaprojects

• Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino met with representatives of the Japan Business Federation, the main organisation of the Japanese private sector, to strengthen economic relations and open new investment opportunities in Panama.
• During the meeting, both parties agreed to promote the negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement between Panama and Japan, as well as explore investments in strategic infrastructure projects being developed in the country.
• The Keidanren delegation expressed interest in participating in important initiatives related to the Panama Canal, including the Río Indio multipurpose reservoir, the ocean-to-ocean gas pipeline project, and the development of new ports.
• Japanese businesspeople also expressed interest in other infrastructure projects, including the extension of Line 3 of the Panama Metro to Costa Verde, the construction of Line 2A of the Panama Metro, and the modernisation of the Cerro Patacón landfill. The possibility of promoting Panama as a regional technology hub was also discussed, including the installation of data centres and companies dedicated to the development of artificial intelligence tools.
• President Mulino highlighted the recent signing of an agreement between the aeronautical authorities of both countries, which establishes a framework for the future operation of direct commercial flights between Panama and Tokyo. Keidanren leader Fujimoto Masayoshi highlighted Panama’s strategic importance to the global supply chain and requested progress on the Economic Partnership Agreement.
• The discussions signal growing Japanese interest in Panama's infrastructure, logistics and technology sectors, which could support the country's ambitions to strengthen its role as a regional trade, investment and digital hub.

(Source: Newsroom Panama)