Qatar, being a safe country and known for its modern infrastructure and facilities for foreign investors, offers many incentives that encourage Panamanian companies to bring their investments to the gas-rich Gulf country, according to Panama ambassador Musa Asvat.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged many countries to look for partnerships that prioritise competitive business considerations and Qatar’s public-private partnerships (PPPs) are the most advance and modern,” Asvat told Gulf Times, referring to Qatar’s recently-announced PPP Law.

“It should be an example for other countries to follow and reshape the balance in trade in both ways. This is a crucial moment as governments across the world grapple with ways to handle the health, economic, and societal consequences of the health crisis. The private sector is also empowered to fulfil its role in overcoming the crisis,” the ambassador said.

Asked what role could the embassy of Panama play in forging PPPs with Qatar, and in which sectors, Asvat said: “We can see this in areas of expertise that we may offer to supply the demands of the Qatari market.

“Another immediate sector is related to maritime services not only because Panama has been recognised worldwide in the fields of infrastructure and logistics in the region but also because Panama has been an important transit point in international trade for many decades.”

Asvat also lauded the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) for its active role in forging partnerships with different countries to boost FDI inflow into the country. He said the embassy is keen to assist Panamanian companies and QFZA secure ties or partnerships.

“The embassy is open to support Panamanian companies and also companies from Qatar from all sectors, together with the Qatar Free Zones Authority. We are keen to build bridges of communication between all the interested parties. We have the contacts and the information that could be easily given by email or any form of communication as needed, including our social media platforms.

“Panama has experience in free zones for more than 70 years, which is sustainable for the country being a strategic location in the centre of the Americas. The country is also modernising all institutions to offer the public all information transparently and efficiently,” Asvat pointed out.



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