27 Puerto Rican companies Panama-bound to network

Puerto Rico Trade and Export Executive Director Francisco Chévere (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)

A delegation of 27 Puerto Rican companies will participate in the Expocomer international business fair in Panama through Saturday, to present exportable products and services among distributors, importers, retailers and buyers from Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean.

“Our delegation this year is delivering innovative and diverse products and services that present the latest trends in their respective markets and that are highly ranked in Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean,” said Francisco Chévere, executive director of Puerto Rico Trade and Export, the government agency that organized the trip.

“Panama represents for Puerto Rico one important trading partner and is one of the most important business destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean,” he said.

Last year, Puerto Rico exported $52.4 million to Panama, while total imports were $9.4 million, for a trade surplus of $43 million.

Secretary of State Víctor Suárez is also participating in the junket, and will take part in meetings with trade organizations and Panama government. Suárez and Chévere will also meet with World Bank to explore possible tools to facilitate access to Puerto Rican companies to financing programs available through the entity.

Ahead of the trip, companies participating in this year’s Expocomer coordinated more than 135 business meetings with potential Panamanian business partners. This year’s group comprises: Atención‑Atención, AZ Engineering, Bettina, Borinquen Containers Corp., Capitol Security Police, Inc., Caribbean Project Management (CPM), Caribben Specialized Construction Group, Destilería Serrallés, Inc., Forever Crystals & Jewerly, Fortiflex, Enersol, Imperial Home Products, INTENOR, KPG, Mabudeg, Mistolín Caribe, Inc., Pan American Grain, Performance Improvement, Piscinas Panamá, ProvenSmart, Queue Solutions, Sangría Sabrina, Suiza Dairy Corp., The Retail Group,  Retail Outsource, Transcita and Vía Sur Group.

Author Details

• Author Details

Michelle Kantrow-Vázquez

Author Details

Business reporter with 27 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.

mkantrow@newsismybusiness.com