Panama Strengthens Economic Ties with South Africa

During the mission, the Ministry of Trade and Industries, along with authorities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Promtur Panama, and business association representatives, held meetings with key public and private sector actors in South Africa, reaffirming the National Government's commitment to opening new doors for the growth of exports and the attraction of investment to Panama.The Minister of Trade and Industries, Julio Moltó, held a high-level meeting with Alexandra Lilian Amelia Abrahams, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition of South Africa, to strengthen bilateral relations, leveraging Panama's competitive advantages as a global logistics hub, a strategic platform for the re-export of products and goods, and a connecting point between Latin America, the Caribbean, and the rest of the world.This working tour was held within the framework of Panama Week 2025, a platform aimed at strengthening the country's international presence and promoting it as a reliable, secure, and competitive destination for foreign investment.The meeting also included the identification of opportunities for future cooperation agreements, the exchange of best business practices, and initiatives that contribute to dynamizing the flow of goods and services.Panama's national strategy to join the semiconductor industry was also presented, sharing progress in talent development and the building of technological capabilities.“Strengthening ties with South Africa is a priority; there is enormous room to grow in trade, investment, and culture, and we want to take full advantage of it,” Moltó stated.Moltó highlighted that there is great potential to increase Panamanian exports to Southern Africa, especially in agribusiness, manufacturing, technology, and specialized services.As part of the agenda, the minister also participated, alongside Giulia de Sanctis, president of APEDE, in a meeting with Elias Monage, president of the Black Business Council (BBC) of South Africa, where possible public-private alliances and joint projects aimed at business development and innovation were discussed.