Panamanian Commerce Minister: Looking to Boost Diamond trade With Israel

Panama’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Roberto Henriquez was the guest of honor at a luncheon hosted by the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) in Ramat Gan Tuesday, following a visit at the Israel Diamond Exchange.

The Minister was accompanied by the Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Jose Domingo Arias and the Ambassador of Panama in Israel Roberto Arango.

IDI Chairman Moti Ganz welcomed the Panamanian delegation with a toast and said he is hoping to see more transactions between the new diamond exchange in Panama and the Israeli diamond industry. “You have an open door with us for the diamond trade,” Ganz told the Minister.

Minister Henriquez surprised the Israeli participants by greeting them in Hebrew. “My visit is a follow up to my President’s visit. President Martinelli has changed Panama’s relations with Israel. We are seeking to strengthen the bonds with Israel,” he said.

“The diamond trade is relatively new in Panama. I have learned a great deal about the industry in the few hours I have spent with you. We are going to do our best to help this project,” Henriquez added.

A key component to boosting trade in Panama and neighboring countries is the $ 5 billion Panama Canal Expansion Project which will be completed in 2014. According to Henriquez, ports in Miami and Houston are already working to accommodate the larger ships that will be able to pass through the canal.