Panama and China conclude third round of negotiations

Posted on 2018-10-17

The negotiating teams of Panama and China closed the intellectual property chapter on Saturday, October 13, and they advanced in cooperation issues, rules of origin and access to markets, in the third round of negotiations of the free trade agreement (FTA) between both countries. 

The meetings of this round began last Tuesday and concluded this Saturday in the city of Panama. The two countries officially launched the negotiations of the trade agreement in a formal ceremony in the city of Beijing, last June, a year after having begun diplomatic relations

Alberto Alemán Arias, head of the Panamanian negotiating team, informed in a press conference that the delegations had important advances in the cooperation chapter through education, technology, science and innovation. "This chapter aims to strengthen the capabilities and knowledge of Panamanian actors in the commercial aspect, " said Aleman

Significant progress was also made in the rules of origin chapter, where China showed its good will and understanding of the utility of the re-export certificate. The negotiation of this issue will continue in the fourth round, added Aleman Arias

The chief negotiator reiterated that as with other FTAs ​​that Panama has in force, the possible trade agreement with the Asian giant "does not affect in any of its chapters the labor legislation and special regime of Panamanian professionals. 

The negotiating teams agreed to a fourth round of negotiations between November 19 and 23, probably in Panama, said Alberto Alemán Arias.

Source LaPrensa