Panama is seeking to further strengthen its economic ties with Qatar through knowledge-sharing and exchanging of best practices in the fields of ports management and logistics, ambassador Musa Asvat has said.
According to Asvat, plans are underway to connect Panama with Hamad Port and Education City to discuss “how to expand the horizon in these areas” and open investment opportunities and other avenues for co-operation.
“Qatar and Panama could share information in ports activities and logistics; we could have this synergy between both countries, and bring in people who are experts in these fields,” Asvat told Gulf Times.
He said, “We are going to offer our expertise. This is one way we could engage and grow our relationship with Qatar. As Panama, we know our strengths and what we can do, as well as what we could offer to and what we can achieve with our partner countries.”
In addition, Asvat stressed that Panama could also offer its expertise in the field of tourism. The ambassador said discussions are being held on how to attract Qataris into exploring tropical tourism spots that Panama has to offer.
“Qataris usually fly to Europe and the US for their vacation. But now we are trying to engage them into coming to tropical places; I am talking about Qataris between the 25 to 35 age group – those who are adventurous and inclined to explore rare and unique tourist destinations in Latin America,” Asvat explained.
Aside from logistics and port management, as well as tourism, Asvat emphasised previously that Qatar and Panama’s economic and trade ties could be developed further through public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the field of agriculture and food security.
Citing projects like the establishment of hydroponic farms and cattle raising, Asvat noted that there is also a “potential business opportunity” for Panamanian exporters to expand their footprint in Qatar.
Similarly, Asvat said Panama could offer the opportunity for Qatar to establish food supply chains in the Central American country, which is open to provide concessions to companies from Qatar that are interested in investing in the farming industry.
“We have excellent weather conditions and fertile lands for different types of crops, as well as for cattle growing. Panama, as a tropical country, can grow almost anything, so we are extending this investment opportunity for any interested company from Qatar that has plans in the fields of hydroponics or hydroponic farms, as well as direct agricultural projects for concession with the Panamanian government,” Asvat earlier said.