Speaking at the inauguration of the VI Latin American and Caribbean Meeting of Port Logistics Communities, the chancellor indicated that this political will was demonstrated during the scourge of Covid-19, with the total global closure of this important sector of the economies.
In the most difficult moments of the pandemic, almost incommunicado, she said, “Panama was up to the task as a logistics facilitator and fulfilled the role of channel and open port with which we have identified ourselves.”
She also highlighted they deployed multiple operations to serve seafarers from all over the world and support them when they passed through these Panamanian waters, including those affected by the virus.
She detailed the cargo movements in the midst of the 2020-2021 pandemic that marked historical growth milestones with dozens of services provided on the slopes of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
The forum, which takes place in a hybrid format (face-to-face and virtual), will close on Friday with a tour of the delegates through the Panamanian ports, as part of the 2022-2026 programs of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), aimed at strengthen regional integration and trade facilitation.
The permanent secretary of SELA, Clarems Endara, pointed out that the event will also open a space for debate on port logistics communities in regulatory, technical, technological, commercial and governance matters.
This meeting, also sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Panama Maritime Authority, will evaluate the development of port activities in Latin America and the Caribbean in the face of the pandemic and the progress of sustainability initiatives.
The first day of sessions was dedicated to the increase in freight rates and the crisis in the supply chain and for today the agenda includes the debate on digital transformation, security and cybersecurity of ports.
Among the guests at the meeting are the manager of Physical Infrastructure and Digital Transformation of the Development Bank of Latin America, Antonio Silveira; and the president of the Board of Directors of the National Port Authority of Peru, Edgar Patiño.
Also participating are the manager of the Panama Maritime Authority and Minister of Maritime Affairs, Noriel Araúz; as well as the Director General of the International Association of Ports, Patrick Verhoeven.
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