Panama's President Highlights Country's Advantages at Mercosur Summit

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, in his address at the Mercosur Summit held this Saturday, December 20, highlighted the competitive advantages that Panama has. "With one of the most dynamic economies in America, Panama can strengthen integration on the continent," he stated. During the meeting, which was attended by the presidents of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; Argentina, Javier Milei; Paraguay, Santiago Peña; and Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi, Mulino affirmed that Panama is not a competitor to the other countries. Mulino emphasized the logistical strength of the Panama Canal and the ports in clear growth, pointing out that it is public knowledge that two of the four largest ports in Latin America are in Panama, and that the nation is highly competitive in the logistics and transportation sector. Before the heads of state and government, chancellors, Mercosur authorities, and representatives of associated states, Mulino presented Panama as the "Air Hub" par excellence. "Between my country and the member and associated countries of MERCOSUR, there are 576 weekly flight frequencies, connecting 42 cities, which also facilitate connections with the Caribbean, Central America, and North America," he affirmed. "We are a complement to all of you, so that your products can reach the most diverse markets, increasing the competitiveness of foreign trade for all MERCOSUR members," Mulino proposed. He also said that for the next meeting of this bloc, he expects the elected president of Venezuela, Mr. Edmundo Gonzáles Urrutia, to participate. The Panamanian head of state also made the deposit of his instrument of accession as an Associated State, convinced that integration must advance gradually, orderly, and without trauma, respecting the economic and productive realities of each country.