CFTC Working Group Promotes Canton Fair in Panama

From Sept 17-19, Zhuang Hong, Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre, led a working group and promoted Canton Fair in Panama’s capital Panama City and Colon, through holding promotion conference, meeting with local government departments, chambers of commerce and industrial organizations and exhibition grounds.

Canton Fair Panama promotion conference

The group successfully held Canton Fair promotion conference in Panama City. Wang Jian, Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Office of Chinese Embassy in Panama, Mr. Leignadier, VP of Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and Mr. Kilborn, Investment Director of Ministry of Commerce and Industries attended and addressed the conference, which attracted nearly 60 company representatives from machinery, daily consumer products, and agricultural sectors. Nextv, Telemetro, China Window and other local mainstream media covered the event.

Zhuang Hong made a keynote speech in the conference. He said that in the new era, Canton Fair focuses on developing series of specialized exhibitions under the comprehensive framework and providing a professional, secure, efficient and multi-functional international trading platform. Panama is the first Latin American and Caribbean country to sign “Belt & Road” MOU with China. China has become Panama’s major trading partner. He hoped that Panamian enterprises can make positive use of Canton Fair to boost bilateral trade relations. Wang Jian stated that with the largest scale and longest history in China, Canton Fair has always been the window of foreign trade. In the two years after signing the MOU, the two countries have witnessed pragmatic and comprehensive cooperation across the board and created boundless opportunities for entrepreneurs of the two countries. Foreign trade has always been an important driving force of China’s economic growth; China will continue to drive the growth of bilateral trade relations and bring tangible benefits and win-win outcomes for various parties. Leignadier said that Panama connects North and South America and joins the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, a crucial juncture for Chinese products to enter Latin America. Canton Fair is the bridge for Panama-China economic and trade exchanges; Panamian enterprises should join trade cooperation with China via Canton Fair. Kilborn said that Panama International Expo is one of most influential events in Central and South America while Canton Fair is world’s largest trade fair. He hoped that companies of the two countries will enhance cooperation and join hands to develop the global market. After the conference, the working group answered questions on trade matchmaking, logistics services, badge application, with a lively atmosphere at the scene.

The working group met with Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, and Ministry of Commerce and Industries

Zhuang Hong accepted interview of Panama’s mainstream media

During their trip, the group also visited Panama Atlapa Convention and Exhibition Center and the Amador Convention and Exhibition Center under construction. Atlapa is Panama’s main exhibition grounds and the venue for Panama International Expo in the long run. The Amador Convention and Exhibition Center will be put into service at the end of this year, with its area three times that of Atlapa, which will create new growth impetus for local exhibition industry. The group exchanged ideas with relevant people in charge on venue operation and construction.

The working group inspected Amador Convention and Exhibition Center

The group also visited Colon Free Trade Zone and Chinese Business Association of the Colon FTZ. Mr. Ferrari, General Manager of Colon FTZ introduced the current operation. He believed that with Colon largest FTZ in the Western Hemisphere and Canton Fair largest product origin of Colon, the FTZ will become a key hub for China to export to Latin America. He expected to discuss cooperation with Canton Fair on a deeper and wider basis. While visiting MSH Solar and other companies in the FTZ that attended the Canton Fair in the long run, the group listened to their advices and suggestions to the Fair.

The working group visited Mr. Ferrari, General Manager of Colon Free Trade Zone

In their business trip, the group also met with the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Panama and held talks on local market situation, bilateral trade cooperation and demands of local businessmen.