Chongqing-The Fourth Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT) was held in Chongqing from July 21 to 24. iChongqing interviewed Jonathan Javier, Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Panama in China, about Chongqing-Panama cooperation. In his view, Chongqing and Panama will establish an equal and bidirectional partnership.

"This is my first time in Chongqing, and I've been waiting to be here for several months," said Mr. Javier. Various aspects of Chongqing's construction, facilities, transportation, and connectivity impressed him greatly.  

Chongqing and Panama share three similarities, according to Mr. Javier. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Panama has one of the largest and strongest financial centers, as well as convenient transportation and diverse logistics, making it a hub and the best-connected country. Likewise, as the gateway to the western part of China, Chongqing has these three distinct features.  

As the first country in Latin America to sign the Belt and Road Initiative, Panama played a significant role in its implementation. “There are a lot of opportunities for cooperation,” said Mr. Javier. “Panama offers Chongqing a gate to get to the west of the countries in the region.” Several prominent Chinese companies operating in Panama provide services to other countries in the region. Counselor Javier also believes that Panamanian companies can access the Chinese market through Chongqing.  

Particularly, Panama is promoting coffee, beef, and pottery in Chongqing and exploring ways to work with the beef and port companies there. Counselor Javier said that Chongqing is an attractive market for Panamanian companies to increase their exports.

Furthermore, due to Chongqing's robust connectivity, when Panamanian businesses established the market in Chongqing, the surrounding provinces and cities also had access to Panamanian products. 

(Zhang Yiyi, and Ren Yuntian, as interns, also contributed to this report.)