PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Governments of Panama and Canada have launched a new technical cooperation program to strengthen Panama’s export capacity, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) targeting the Canadian market. The initiative, announced this week by Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI), is being implemented under the trade cooperation chapter of the Panama-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The project receives technical backing from the Government of Canada through its Trade and Development Expert Deployment Mechanism. It is designed to provide comprehensive training to public officials, business associations, academic institutions, and key export sectors with high potential, including agriculture, agribusiness, and fisheries.
Strengthening Bilateral Trade Ties
During the launch event, Panama’s Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Astrid Ábrego, emphasized the strategic importance of the program. She explained that it is one of four currently active projects proposed by Panamanian institutions under the FTA’s cooperation framework.
“We deeply thank the Government of Canada for its commitment to developing our institutional and business capacities. Its technical support and supportive vision contribute directly to the strengthening of our trade policy and to the generation of tangible benefits for our entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and productive territories,” stated Ábrego [Translated from Spanish].
The Canadian Ambassador to Panama, Patricia Atkinson, highlighted the significance of reinforcing bilateral relations and encouraged participants to leverage this opportunity to boost Panamanian exports to Canada.
“This program is expected to contribute significantly to increasing the volume of Panamanian exports to the Canadian market,” affirmed Atkinson, underscoring the joint work of both nations to revitalize the technical cooperation mechanism established in the FTA [Translated from Spanish].
Comprehensive Training and Personalized Advisory Services
The project outlines a multi-faceted approach to capacity building. Key components include a Technical Workshop on exporting to Canada and a Trainer of Trainers Program, aimed at officials from MICI, the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), and the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP).
The technical execution of the program is managed by Globally Cool, a firm specializing in international trade. In a significant move to ensure practical results, selected Panamanian businesswomen will receive personalized advisory services to develop sustainable export plans, which are anticipated to be finalized by the end of November.
The program’s primary focus is on supporting SMEs from strategic sectors such as agri-exports, seafood products, and value-added goods. Through specialized technical assistance, participating companies will receive the tools necessary to comply with Canadian quality standards, logistics requirements, and regulations.
Driving Sustainable Market Access for Panamanian SMEs
The initiative goes beyond one-time training. It includes the development of concrete export plans, product adaptation for the Canadian market, and training in customs processes. The overarching goal is to enhance the competitiveness of Panamanian SMEs and consolidate their sustainable access to the international market, with a clear initial focus on Canada.
This collaboration, rooted in the Panama-Canada Free Trade Agreement, represents a concerted effort to translate the terms of a trade deal into practical, on-the-ground support for local businesses. By building institutional knowledge and directly assisting entrepreneurs, the governments aim to create lasting economic benefits and a more robust trade relationship between the two countries.