GFTZ and Panama Gateway International Association Announce Partnership
Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone and Panama Gateway International Association Announce Partnership Encouraging Trade and Investment Opportunities for Business
Atlanta, Ga., April 15, 2014 – Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone, Inc.and Panama Gateway International Association, Inc.announced a new partnership to benefit companies in Georgia and Panama by increasing knowledge of trade and business opportunities.
Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone (GFTZ) and Panama Gateway International Association (PGIA) signed a memorandum of understanding that allows the organizations to share resources – chiefly expert knowledge and connections – to better identify and cultivate trade and business opportunities between companies, large and small, that operate in Georgia and Panama. GFTZ is the first Foreign-Trade Zone in the U.S. to sign such an accord with PGIA.
The partnership will encourage tremendous U.S. and Panama business opportunities given the planned 2015 completion of the expansion of the Panama Canal and the 2007 U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement. By the end of 2015, the Canal is expected to double its current transit capacity and allow more and larger ships to pass through. The Free-Trade Agreement offers greater access for U.S. companies to Panama’s multi-billion services market, which includes much of the country’s financial, telecommunications, computer, express delivery, energy, and environmental industries.
“This partnership builds on our efforts to position Georgia, our businesses and our people, to reap the benefits of an increasingly global marketplace,” said Julie Brown, CEO of GFTZ. “By working together with Panama, we can create business opportunities that lead to more jobs and economic prosperity for the people of Georgia.”
Brown is a member of PGIA’s Corporate Advisory Board.
“Atlanta is positioned as the business capital of the Southeastern U.S. and presents a strong opportunity for Panama to expand awareness of its advantages with the U.S.,” said John Wallace, Jr., chairman of PGIA. “Using PGIA’s network, this partnership will help Georgia and Panama companies capitalize on the trade opportunities created by the Canal’s expansion and the Free Trade Agreement, and learn more about the business opportunities in both countries that continue to grow.”
About Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone: A private, non-profit corporation, GFTZ is dedicated to fostering economic growth in Georgia and the U.S. through the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone program.
Visit: www.georgiaftz.com
About Panama Gateway International Association: Created as a non-profit entity to connect the hemispheres using business education, PGIA works to bring awareness and global trade opportunities primarily between the United States and Panama.
Visit: www.panamagateway.org
Contact:
Adam Levy
30 Point Strategies
404-898-1267
Genevieve Rozansky
30 Point Strategies
202-509-0794