According to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MICI), this was the objective of the meeting in the border town of Paso Canoas, between its head, Julio Moltó, and his counterpart, Manuel Tovar.

The meeting, which followed the most recent visit to Panama by Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves last August, took place at the Integrated Control Center, a milestone in the improvement of regional land cargo transportation, according to the report.

During the meeting, the official, who was accompanied by the ministers of Security, Frank Ábrego; and of Agricultural Development, Roberto Linares, underlined the firm commitment of the Panamanian government to strengthen economic ties and maximize the benefits of trade agreements.

For his part, Tovar said that the governments of Costa Rica and Panama are inaugurating a new era in their relations”, and emphasized the objective of facing common challenges and taking advantage of opportunities to strengthen economic ties.

In this regard, he underscored the commitment of both countries to not only facilitate trade, but to establish an agile and integrated model in Latin America.

In this meeting, as part of Costa Rica’s Border Integration Program (PIF) and the progress of the Customs Logistics Integration Program (PILA), the parties discussed the importance of identifying new opportunities and advancing regional economic integration commitments, considering it a key issue on their agenda, adds the MICI in its note.

The ministers also discussed the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Regional Integration Subsystem that Panama and Costa Rica will assume in 2025.

On their common border, both countries have implemented in recent years a plan for the safe and orderly movement of irregular migrants in transit to the United States.

Panama and Costa Rica will celebrate 121 years of diplomatic and commercial relations next December, during which they signed more than twenty treaties and agreements.

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