Free trade agreement with the United States is imperative for Panama, says minister

The free trade agreement with the United States is imperative to Panama’s continued economic growth, said Panama’s deputy finance minister, Alvarez de Soto.

He said that the US is Panama’s principal commercial partner, with a market 100 times greater than that of Panama.

In fact, nearly 30 percent of Panama’s exports in 2010 were to the United States and the accord would help Panama maintain its competitive position in the US market versus other countries like Mexico, Chile, Peru and others in Central America.

Original source: Newsroom Panama