By Clint Chan Tack Thursday, January 28 2010

MEMBERS of the local services and construction sectors have expressed a keen interest in pursuing business opportunities in Panama and the rest of Central America. Foreign Affairs Minister Paula Gopee Scoon made this point to new Panamanian Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Arline Gonzalez Costa when Costa paid a courtesy call at her Queen’s Park West office in Port-of-Spain last week.

In a statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said TT and Tobago and Panama are discussing new areas for bilateral cooperation in tourism, sport, education, labour, scientific and technical cooperation.

A statement from the ministry said TT and Panama have enjoyed a healthy commercial relationship over the last 15 years, with a favourable balance of trade for this country. Given the growing levels of commerce between TT and Panama, Costa suggested that now was a great opportunity to explore the option of a double taxation agreement between both countries.

TT and Panama first established formal diplomatic relations on May 24, 1994.