Canadian FTA talks on track

The consultations with the productive sectors will also have the participation of the Ministries of Agriculture, the Agriculture Marketing Institute and the Public Service Authority.

The Commerce Minister, Carmen Gisela Vergara said: “These consultations are essential to create the necessary negotiating strategies that we will develop with Canada and we will maintain the same kind of working relationship that we have maintained with our other partners.”

The agriculture sector is going to meet to discuss its needs and put forward its aspirations to ensure it will obtain maximum benefits.

The FTA will allow Panama to export its products with fewer customs and tax restrictions as well as opening a new market that could expand with the passage of time.

Last year, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the region to expand Canada’s role, and former ambassador Jose Herran Lima, worked locally to promote the setting up of a FTA.