27 Puerto Rican companies Panama-bound to network

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,ā said Francisco ChĆ©vere, executive director of Puerto Rico Trade and Export, the government agency that organized the trip.
āPanama represents for Puerto Rico one important trading partner and is one of the most important business destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean,ā 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 VĆctor SuĆ”rez is also participating in the junket, and will take part in meetings with trade organizations and Panama government. SuĆ”rez and ChĆ©vere 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 yearās Expocomer coordinated more than 135 business meetings with potential Panamanian business partners. This yearās group comprises: AtenciónāAtención, AZ Engineering, Bettina, Borinquen Containers Corp., Capitol Security Police, Inc., Caribbean Project Management (CPM), Caribben Specialized Construction Group, DestilerĆa SerrallĆ©s, Inc., Forever Crystals & Jewerly, Fortiflex, Enersol, Imperial Home Products, INTENOR, KPG, Mabudeg, MistolĆn Caribe, Inc., Pan American Grain, Performance Improvement, Piscinas PanamĆ”, ProvenSmart, Queue Solutions, SangrĆa Sabrina, Suiza Dairy Corp., The Retail Group,Ā Retail Outsource, Transcita and VĆa Sur Group.