Japan offers to make important investments in Panama, such as in infrastructure for the Metro Line 3 of and in the construction of the tunnel under the Panama Canal.

Japan is the waterway’s second largest user and 70% of its maritime fleet sails under the Panama flag.

The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, held a meeting July 17, at the Presidential Palace with Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, during which they talked about the Panama Canal, the increase of commercial relations, the interest of Japanese investment in the country, donations to alleviate the pandemic, the Olympic Games in Tokyo and other regional issues.

Minister Motegi told President Cortizo Cohen that the Japanese Government is interested in increasing investments and strengthening commercial relations between the two countries.

President Cortizo Cohen announced that to strengthen trade and investment relations between both nations, Panama and Japan should appoint a team to study the possibility of increasing exports and strengthening investments with taking advantage of the public-private partnership legislation.

Cortizo Cohen announced that Japan offers to make important investments in Panama, such as in infrastructure for the Metro Line 3 of and in the construction of the tunnel under the Panama Canal.

Japan is the waterway’s second largest user and 70% of its maritime fleet sails under the Panama flag.

The President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, held a meeting July 17, at the Presidential Palace with Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, during which they talked about the Panama Canal, the increase of commercial relations, the interest of Japanese investment in the country, donations to alleviate the pandemic, the Olympic Games in Tokyo and other regional issues.

Minister Motegi told President Cortizo Cohen that the Japanese Government is interested in increasing investments and strengthening commercial relations between the two countries.

President Cortizo Cohen announced that to strengthen trade and investment relations between both nations, Panama and Japan should appoint a team to study the possibility of increasing exports and strengthening investments with taking advantage of the public-private partnership legislation.

Cortizo Cohen announced that government for all the help they have given to Panama since the beginning of the pandemic, such as the 12,000 tablets of the antiviral favipiravir, which according to the president were “very important at the time they arrived” to alleviate those affected by the virus.

He also expressed his gratitude for the aid in medical equipment sent by Japan, valued at $5.6M.
President Cortizo congratulated the Government of Japan for the great challenge of organizing the Olympic games in the midst of a pandemic, recalling that Panama will participate with 10 athletes in various disciplines.

The Japanese Foreign Minister thanked President Cortizo and the First Lady, Yazmín Colón de Cortizo, for their participation, in October 2019, in the protocol ceremony for Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement.

“For me and my wife, it was an honor to participate in the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito,” saidthe President.
Foreign Minister Motegi continued his tour with a visit to the Panama Canal and the day after with a meeting with his Panamanian counterpart, Ms Erika Mouynes.

The Japanese delegation was represented by Foreign Minister Motegi; Owaki Takeshi, Ambassador of Japan in Panama; Okano Masataka, Vice Minister, Director General of Foreign Policy; Hayashi Teiji, Assistant Ambassador to the Minister and Director General of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs; Masamoto Kenichi, Director of the Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Division; and Yoshizawa Miwa, the Minister’s interpreter and press officer.

The Panamanian government’s delegation was headed by President Cortizo Cohen; Erika Mouynes, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Héctor Alexander, Minister of Economy and Finance; Ramón Martínez, Minister of Commerce and Industry; José Alejandro Rojas, Minister Counselor for Investment Facilitation; Carmen Gisela Vergara, Executive Director of Pro Panama; and Héctor Ortega, Director of the Panama Metro.

Source: Panama Maritime Authority