The agreement was signed by Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in Panama City.

A press release by the office of the president of Panama stated that the country will enjoy additional benefits under the agreement:

-The promotion of Panama as a logistics center for large Canadian and international corporations producing re-manufactured goods.

-Opportunities for Panamanian companies willing to provide banking services in two modalities: with an office in Canada, or off-shore.

-Opportunities for Panamanian companies interested in providing services to Canadian banks, through data processing centers and call centers.

Source: Presidencia de Panamá

More on this topic

Mining Industry Will Benefit the Most from FTA Canada – Panama

May 2010

Commerce ministries from the two nations affirmed that the mining industry will benefit the most with the recently signed Free Trade Agreement.

Peter Van Loan, Canadian Commerce Ministry, explained that Canadian mining companies will probably invest more in the country, thanks to investment protection mechanisms included in the text of the treaty.

Panama and Canada Sign FTA

May 2010

The countries signed a Free Trade Agreement which levies tariffs for 100% of Panama’s products and 85% of Canada’s.

The reserved 15% includes the most sensible products for Panama, such as poultry, onion, paper and cardboard.

It will become effective on early 2011, and includes labor and environmental protection dispositions, as well as agreements regarding investments, state purchases and electronic commerce.

Agreement Between Real Estate Agents

May 2009

Real estate brokers in Panama and Canada agreed to create opportunities to promote both housing markets.

In the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Panama, the Panamanian Association of Brokers and Real Estate Developers met with their counterparts in Ontario and Toronto, Canada, where they agreed to create blueprints for future agreements between the organizations.

Canadian Trade Mission to Visit Panama

May 2009

From June 2 - 4, a dozen companies, led by Atlantic Canada, will be in the country looking for business opportunities.

The companies are in the telecommunications, construction, tourism, shipping and education sectors.

Roberto González reported the statements of Milsa Barrow, promoter of the trade mission, in Prensa.com: "The companies will arrive with the intention of introducing their products and services into local market and to find representatives who will help them expand their businesses in Latin America.”