In Panama, the Cortizo administration has announced that it does not plan to sign new trade agreements, as what the country currently needs is to "strengthen its exporters.”
Representatives of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries informed that until the exportable offer of Panama is strengthened, they will begin to advance in the negotiation of commercial treaties with other countries.
Although there have already been five rounds of negotiations to sign a free trade agreement, the Cortizo administration announced that they decided to restrict themselves to signing a partial-scope agreement.
Representatives of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (Mici) explained that they want the scope of the trade agreement with the Asian giant to be limited to the exchange of agricultural and industrial goods, which is known as a partial scope Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Since Cortizo took office, Panamanian exporters have been concerned about the negotiation of the agreement with China, as they believe the delays could affect the results achieved so far.
The fifth round of negotiations, to be held from April 24 to 26 in Beijing, is expected to make further progress on issues related to market access and attracting investment, among others.
From the statement of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries of Panama:
Panama City, April 23, 2019. The teams from the Republic of Panama and the People's Republic of China begin tomorrow Wednesday the fifth round of negotiations for the Trade Agreement between the two countries.
It is announced that technical groups from the governments of El Salvador and Guatemala began negotiations in London to conclude a new trade agreement.
Now, there is a possibility that the agreement the region seeks to sign with the European country will not be consolidated, since it is not yet clear how the process of Britain's exit from the European Union will be carried out, an issue that is generating great tension between the British Parliament and Prime Minister, Theresa May, at this very moment.
During the fourth round of negotiations between the two countries, rules of origin, customs procedures, market access, trade in services and others were addressed.
From the statement of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries:
The negotiating teams from Panama and the Popular Republic of China concluded today in the Panamanian capital the Fourth Round of Negotiations for a Trade Agreement with approaches in the chapters of Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures, Market Access, Trade in Services and others.
From November 19th to 23rd, the fourth round of negotiations will take place in Panama City, where issues related to the protection of sensitive products of the Central American country will be addressed.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported that in the previous three rounds of negotiations, progress has been made on intellectual property, sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
On November 12th, the VII Round of Negotiations for the inclusion of El Salvador in the integration process towards the free transit of individuals and goods between Guatemala and Honduras began in San Salvador.
The negotiations between the three countries will last the entire week and it is expected that this round of dialogues will address issues related to the customs, migration, sanitary and phytosanitary challenges facing El Salvador.
The third round of negotiations between the two delegations concluded on October 13th, in which subjects such as Intellectual Property, Cooperation and Rules of Origin were discussed.
From the press release of the Ministry of Trade and Industries:
Panama City, October 13th, 2018. The negotiating teams from Panama and the People' s Republic of China concluded today the Third Round of Negotiations for a Trade Agreement with advances in chapters such as Intellectual Property, Cooperation and Rules of Origin.
The FTA with Panama and the agreement with El Salvador, both in the negotiation stage, are part of the commercial opportunities that the Asian nation seeks to consolidate in the region in the short-term.
The third round of negotiations to conclude the trade agreement between the Central American country and the Asian nation began in Panama City. This session will deal with trade barriers, customs procedures and trade facilitation.
From August 20 to 24, delegations will finish agreeing terminology, concepts and definitions that will apply throughout the commercial agreement, and will begin presenting their respective positions on tariff lines for services and products.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI):
MICI August 19, 2018.Tomorrow the negotiating teams for the Trade Agreement between Panama and China will start the Second Round of Negotiations, which will take place between August 20 and 24, on Monday in Beijing, China.
With topics such as e-commerce and regulatory framework on the agenda, the first round of negotiations to establish a Free Trade Agreement between Panama and the Asian giant have begun in Panama City.
Authorities stated that during the first negotiations Panama will be represented by some 25 members of the Negotiating Commission of Free Trade Agreements of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) and will also be able to count on the participation of more than 40 unions from the productive sector.
Two weeks after the first official round of negotiations and with the aim of aligning criteria, the Panamanian government has started a process of consultations with the business sector.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported that "...The consultation process seeks to align the vision of the government institutions and agree on objectives with the private sector to define the points of greatest interest that the Panamanian team will present in the negotiation rounds."
In this third round of negotiations, discussion will take place on the border model to be implemented to incorporate El Salvador into the integration process initiated by Guatemala and Honduras.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
February 12.The city of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, this week becomes the site of the third round of negotiations for the incorporation of El Salvador into the process of deep integration started by Guatemala and Honduras, informed the Vice Minister of Economy, Dr. Luz Estrella Rodríguez.
As a preliminary stage to negotiations for the signing of a Free Trade Agreement, authorities in both countries have started a feasibility study.
According to the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Augusto Arosemena Moreno, "Panama's primary interest is to boost foreign investment, mainly of added value, making Panama a distribution center for the region and boosting Panamanian exports to the Asian market."