BARBADOS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
LEADS SUCCESSFUL TRADE MISSION TO PANAMA
Bridgetown, Barbados – The Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) recently led a successful trade mission to Panama City, Panama from October 16-21, 2024. The mission, which was organized in collaboration with ProPanama, Export Barbados, Invest Barbados, the Embassy of Barbados in Panama, and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., brought together a delegation of Barbadian businesses to explore new market opportunities, establish valuable partnerships, and gain first-hand insights into Panama’s growing economy.
During the mission, participants had access to exclusive business-to-business (B2B) meetings with Panamanian companies, site visits to critical trade hubs such as the Panama Canal, Panama Pacifico, and Colón Free Zones, and networking events with key industry leaders and stakeholders. The mission was tailored to foster mutually beneficial relationships across various sectors, including logistics and shipping, renewable energy, ICT and innovation, professional services, manufacturing, and more. The Ambassadors of both Barbados and Panama, H.E. Ian Walcott-Skinner and H.E. Xiomara Perez also accompanied the mission.
“We are pleased with the success of this trade mission to Panama,” said Misha Lobban-Clarke, Executive Director of the BCCI. “This trade mission was strategically aimed at building mutually beneficial partnerships that will enhance business growth for Barbadian companies and contribute significantly to the broader economic development of Barbados. We were pleased that the members of the delegation were able to make valuable connections with Panamanian businesses and to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities in this growing market. We are confident that this mission will enhance bi-lateral relations and lead to increased trade and investment between Barbados and Panama.”
She further noted that the mission was co-ordinated at a critical time when many nations in the region including Barbados have begun to seek new trading partners to help drive growth in the current evolving global economy. “Panama is considered one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America and it is considered one of the prime trading partners with which Barbados and our local businesses can explore opportunities for expanding trade and investment ties.”
Ambassador Walcott-Skinner also added that, “the Embassy and the Government of Barbados are very pleased with the outcomes so far, as we are fulfilling the Prime Minister’s mandate of commercial diplomacy connecting the hub of Panama to Barbados.”
In addition to the organized business activities, the mission provided a deeper understanding of Panama’s business environment, infrastructure, and investment opportunities. By facilitating direct interactions with industry experts and government officials, the mission enabled Barbadian businesses to better navigate the Panamanian market and explore avenues for trade and collaboration.
Following the success of this mission, the BCCI plans to organize follow-up virtual meetings and further trade exchanges to solidify the partnerships established during this visit to ensure that Barbadian businesses can continue to maximize on the opportunities and partnerships within the Panamanian market.
The BCCI is committed to supporting the growth and development of Barbadian businesses. This trade mission is just one example of the many ways in which the BCCI is working to help Barbadian businesses succeed in the global marketplace.
About the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is the recognized association that serves as a representative and advocate for the interests of the business community in Barbados. The mandate of the Barbados Chamber is to facilitate business expansion and to support the building of a vibrant and sustainable business eco-system in Barbados. The Chamber’s goal is to support the continued viability and success of its membership, comprising approximately 245 micro, small, medium and large-scale businesses across diverse sectors in Barbados including Retail & Distribution, Manufacturing, Financial Services Professional Services, Energy, ICT, Tourism and Cultural Industries.
