Presidents of both countries discussed improving connectivity between the west coast of South America and the region’s leading maritime hub
Strengthening maritime, port, and logistics cooperation was one of the main topics discussed during the first official meeting between the President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, and Peru’s newly inaugurated President, Keiko Fujimori. Both leaders agreed to promote a new phase in bilateral relations by modernizing the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and developing an agenda focused on improving regional connectivity.
The meeting, held in Lima during President Fujimori’s inauguration ceremony, covered initiatives that go beyond traditional trade. The objective is to strengthen the integration of logistics supply chains between the west coast of South America and Latin America’s leading maritime hub.
One of the main topics was the proposal to update the current Free Trade Agreement between both countries. President Mulino stated that there is a willingness to “dust off” the agreement and adapt it to today’s international trade environment, making it easier to increase investment and business opportunities between Panama and Peru.
The bilateral meeting also included discussions on port cooperation and the possibility of Peru joining the Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty, an agreement that guarantees the Canal remains open to vessels of all nations, even during times of conflict. This was considered a strategic step to strengthen the legal certainty and operational stability of one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
Another agreement reached during the meeting was to explore an Open Skies Agreement aimed at increasing air connectivity between Panama and Peru. Although the initiative is mainly focused on passenger transport, it could also support the movement of high value air cargo and complement the existing maritime connections between both countries.
At the same time, both presidents agreed on the importance of strengthening economic relations through greater productive and logistics cooperation. They also discussed removing Panama from Peru’s tax list, a measure that the Panamanian government considers important for encouraging bilateral investment.
The meeting also reinforced Panama’s position as a regional logistics platform. In this context, President Mulino officially invited President Fujimori to participate in the CAF Economic Forum 2027, which will be held in Panama and will focus on promoting new investment opportunities and greater regional integration.
Source: MundoMaritimo
