Approximately 500 ships owned by Greeks use the Panamanian flag for navigation and international maritime trade.
The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, met with the Greek shipowners' community and high-level maritime sector representatives, outlining Panama's plan to enhance the value of its flag as a ship registry. This will allow Panama to attract more clients and position itself as one of the leading competitors in ship registration.
Mulino highlighted the importance of his working visit to Greece, considering that this conglomerate represents some 500 ships under the Panamanian flag and accounts for more than 20% of the world's cargo transport.
Mulino began his work agenda this Monday and gave an overview of these three days this Wednesday: “I had an official meeting with the President of Greece and the Prime Minister, with whom we discussed the international geopolitical situation and the problems of the maritime sector. We also expressed Panama's desire to unify criteria for more effective maritime and commercial collaboration.”
The Panamanian president stated that the meeting with the Greek maritime industry was important for addressing questions regarding the situation of Panamanian ships in China. “Following the meeting between the foreign ministers of China and Panama, we have committed to implementing proactive mechanisms to resolve this issue.”
During the meeting with a significant group of the shipowners community, the Minister of the Canal, José Ramón Icaza, and the Director of the Merchant Marine of the Panama Maritime Authority, Ramón Franco, explained the actions in the ship registry and the projects being developed by the National Government and the Panama Canal.
Icaza referred to the modernization projects announced by Tocumen International Airport, SA, the new port concessions presented by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP), the rehabilitation plan for the Pan-American Highway and the Fourth Bridge, projects being carried out by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP). He also mentioned the strategic projects being promoted by the Panama Canal Authority, including the Indio River lake and the extension of the logistics corridor connecting the Centennial Bridge with the Atlantic Bridge.
For his part, Director Franco addressed the future of sustainable efficiency, regulations, current challenges, and why to choose to register in Panama.
The program also included the participation of Panama's ambassador to Greece, Julie Lymberópoulos; the foreign minister, Javier Martínez-Acha; and the administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP). They were accompanied by Julio Moltó, Minister of Commerce and Industries; Rafael Bárcenas, Director of Civil Aeronautics; Kristel Getzler, Secretary of Economic Affairs and Competitiveness at the Ministry of the Presidency; Alberto Vallarino, former Minister of Economy and Finance; Alberto Alemán Zubieta, former administrator of the Panama Canal; and Aurelio Barría, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama.
This Thursday, the president will hold several meetings with shipping executives and participate in a reception with the international maritime community, senior officials from the Hellenic government and the private sector, with the aim of continuing to strengthen Panama as an international maritime and logistics leader.
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