The official visit of Panama's Ambassador to Argentina, Juan Luis Correa Esquivel, focused on strengthening cooperation between Catamarca and the Central American country in the fields of mining, logistics, and trade. During meetings with provincial and municipal authorities, copper development, export infrastructure, and economic integration took center stage amid the growing prominence of Catamarca's mining industry.
By Panorama Minero
As part of the official agenda, Governor Raúl Jalil welcomed the diplomat at the Government House, while Vice Governor Rubén Dusso and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Paola Fedeli participated in various institutional activities held throughout the province.
During the meeting, Dusso highlighted the common ground shared by Catamarca and Panama regarding copper development and international logistics, stating that "Catamarca and Panama share the condition of being copper producers, while the province is seeking an outlet to the Pacific and the Central American country already has one."
The Vice Governor also stated that the exchange of experience and the strengthening of international ties will "generate greater development and better jobs for the people of Catamarca," emphasizing the importance of leveraging Panama's logistical expertise to support the province's productive growth.
International Logistics to Support Mining Growth
One of the most significant aspects of the visit was Panama's logistics infrastructure and its potential to facilitate exports from Catamarca. In this regard, Ambassador Correa Esquivel described "mining as the future of Argentina" and emphasized the need to promote its development responsibly and with particular attention to environmental stewardship.
He also made Panama's multimodal logistics hub—comprising the Panama Canal, the interoceanic railway, and a network of globally connected ports—available to Catamarca, describing it as "a key tool to ensure that Catamarca's exports have an efficient route to their destination markets."
The integration of mining production with logistics infrastructure was one of the central themes of the meetings, considering that Catamarca is seeking to consolidate transport corridors that improve access for its exports to international markets.
Cooperation and Trade Exchange
The institutional agenda also included a meeting between the Panamanian Ambassador and the Mayor of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, Gustavo Saadi, who declared him an Honorary Visitor of the city.
During the meeting, Correa Esquivel highlighted the opportunities for economic exchange between the two jurisdictions and praised the strengthening of air connectivity.
"There are many things we can exchange. Now COPA Airlines already operates three flights a week here, and that will allow greater interaction between our communities and our cities," he said.
Within this framework, the diplomat proposed organizing future institutional and trade missions between Panama and Catamarca.
"I told the Mayor that we have to organize a visit for him to Panama, because he has not been there yet... we are going to take the opportunity to organize a trip so that we can reciprocate the same warmth with which you have welcomed us here," he said.
The visit also included tours of several cultural and tourist sites across the province and concluded with a commitment to continue strengthening bilateral ties in areas related to trade, logistics, and productive development, with mining standing out as one of the main areas of common interest between Catamarca and Panama.
