PANAMA AND FRANCE

A shared past and future ties

07-14-2009 | MIROSLAVA HERRERA BARSALLO

mherrera@laestrella.com.pa

Panama Star PANAMA. Today July 14, Panama joins France in celebrating 220 years of the Revolution that changed the world. Hard earned lessons on the universal truths like freedom, equality and brotherhood echoes Panama’s quest for balance with every new administration. Panama's and France brotherhood has historical ties coming from the French Canal construction at the end of the 19th century.

France's ambassador to Panama, Monsieur Pierre Henri Guignard, with a vast experience in Latin American affairs, has been serving in Panama for two years and shares with the Panama Star his views from the heart of Casco Viejo. “ At the moment France is rediscovering Panama. Since 1999, Panama is taking on its destiny as a regional leader, as the axis of the Americas. This generates great interest from the french authorities and companies” said Ambassador Guignard on how is Panama perceived in France's perspective.

A considerable growth in French investments has taken place in the last decade. Most of them are in the electricity generation industry.

There is also a collaboration with a Brazilian company for the important project of the cleansing of the Bay of Panama.

A long relationship with the Colon duty free zone represents the main artery through which French products are introduced to the country.

Now with the planned construction of a metro for Panama, France has strong interest in collaborating and offering their proven expertise in the topic.

The Paris metro is a a great example of well done engineering and of public transport.

This growth has made the French community in Panama grow notably in the last five years; young professionals coming to Panama with these companies and establishing their families here. But the French community dating back to the early canal attempt, has made Panama their home and many Panamanians today can trace their ancestry to those first adventurers.

The growth is not just be been in terms of dollars.

It also makes evident the need of introducing universal culture in the Panama education curriculum. According to Monsieur Guignard, the prospect of a French lyceum is being studied by the current Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar.

The importance of a third language for Panama not just French, but also Italian, Portuguese, or Mandarin will give enormous advantage to engineers, doctors, teachers and all Panamanians in these times of foreign investment and rising tourism.

This new era brings a positive outlook for Panama and France relations.

Collaboration in security, finances and culture will only strengthen the already deep ties that were born at the emerging of Panama as a nation.