Creation of the first Global Centre of Excellence in Panama to Attract Multinational Companies

Note: this is just a translation of a news article appearing in El Capital Financiero newspaper in Panama on 19 January 2018. The article is authored by Sherly Diaz, and is property of Nueva Prensa Financiera, SA. The British Chamber of Commerce in Panama does not claim ownership of the contents of the article, only the translation presented below.


With the goal of making Panama a centre of distribution, and of added value for multinational companies in Latin America, the official launch of the first Global Centre of Excellence in the region was made.

It is a joint initiative between the Government of Panama, through the Ministry of Trade and Industries (MICI, by its Spanish acronym) and DHL, a leading company in the logistics sector.

Augusto Arosemena, Minister of Trade and Industries, said that the Government will leverage the technical capacity and access that DHL has; as well as its global experience to advise large companies.

The Minister highlights that the idea is to create a demand of warehouses [for companies] that need to establish their distribution centre in Panama, and thus reach other Latin American markets.

“It is a very focused effort; [we don’t want] to bring every global company, but have Amazon, e-commerce companies, and the automotive industry distribute their parts from Panama”, said Arosemena.

The idea is that Panama not only becomes a centre of trans-shipment, but of added value, that can bring cargo to the country and transform it into a final product, assemble it, and distribute it to the international market.

“The Global Centre of Excellence is a fundamental pillar of the 2030 National Logistics Strategy, which aims to consolidate Panama as a leader in service and innovation, and a world-class hub,” said Alvaro Aleman, Minister of the Presidency.

“Panama, because of its strategic position, is today the perfect place for multinational companies to establish their distribution centres or headquarters”, he said.


WORLD EXPERIENCE

Jorge Bayona, Vice-President of Innovative Customer Solutions at DHL, said the company brings Singapore’s experience as proof that its logistics model works.

“With the support of the Government and private companies, we will develop the logistics hub of the whole Latin American region”, he said.

The Global Centre of Excellence will focus on four main areas: making accessible solutions for industries readily available, promoting Panama as the gateway to Latin America and a strategic logistics centre through joint commercial development and customer participation.

Education and training will also be provided along the supply chain, and equipping companies that want to develop in Latin America with professional guidance, in order to reduce delivery time, and improve overall market performance.

 

Original Article Here

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