Panama has attracted significant investment from Switzerland, which is the third-largest investor in the country with $5.5 billion invested in trade, banking, and industry. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino discussed the possibility of Panama joining Mercosur, highlighting its role as a logistics platform for the Swiss pharmaceutical industry to reach South America. Parmelin showed interest in Panama's merchant marine, the world's largest, as well as the interoceanic canal. Mulino also highlighted key projects in progress: the Río Indio reservoir, two mega-ports, and a gas pipeline. Panama is seeking Singapore as a strategic ally in technological innovation. Mulino took the opportunity to invite the Asian country to join the Canal Neutrality Treaty, thereby strengthening global trade security. At both meetings, Mulino was accompanied by Ministers Felipe Chapman (Economy and Finance), José Ramón Icaza (Canal), Julio Moltó (Commerce and Industries), and Kristelle Getzler, Secretary of Economic Affairs and Competitiveness. They also spoke about the new Panamanian embassy in Bern and Panama's request for Switzerland to adhere to the Canal Neutrality Treaty, a gesture that would reinforce the security and stability of global trade. Bilateral trade came up in the conversation: Panama mainly exports coffee to Switzerland, while Swiss imports include pharmaceutical products, watches, optical apparatus, and alcoholic beverages. Singapore interested in aviation Later, Mulino met with Tharman Shanmugaratnam, president of Singapore. President José Raúl Mulino kicked off his agenda in Davos, Switzerland, with a day full of high-level meetings at the World Economic Forum. The meeting reinforced the relationship between the countries. The talk was direct: more investment in aviation, technology, energy, and logistics, leveraging Panama's platform to enter the Latin American market. Singapore showed interest in resuming aviation operations in the country and in the mega-ports that are being projected. The topic of semiconductors was also touched upon. The goal: to open doors to investments and businesses aimed directly at Panama. First, he met with Guy Parmelin, president of Switzerland.
