
PANAMA CITY, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming second China International Import Expo (CIIE), to start in Shanghai on Tuesday, provides opportunities for Panama to boost exports, a top Panamanian official has said.
Frank Rodriguez, adviser to Panama's Minister of Commerce and Industry Ramon Martinez, recently told Xinhua that representatives of some 40 Panamanian companies will attend the CIIE, almost doubling the number at last year's inaugural expo.
Both Martinez and Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade Juan Carlos Sosa will join the delegation to the second CIIE, Rodriguez said.
To seek more business opportunities at the second CIIE, Panama consulted Chinese business veterans as well as experts at the Chinese embassy here, to identify the most attractive products, he said.
"We want to keep propping up Panamanian products for entry into China's market, such as high quality tropical fruits," said Rodriguez, recalling that Panamanian pineapples generated a lot of interest in the Chinese market last year.
Panama's "seafood companies are also focusing on products that can penetrate (the Chinese market), such as cobia," Rodriguez said.
To improve its chances of reaching trade agreements with China, the government has created an "agricultural cabinet" and taken steps to ensure food safety, said the adviser.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a press release detailing the products to be showcased at the second CIIE through Nov. 10, including coffee, seafood, preserves, cheese, liquor, palm hearts and microbrewed beer, among others.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses