According to a joint statement from Palacio de las Garzas (headquarters of the Executive), this block of countries represents the fifth largest economy in the world and the first in Latin America, with more than 271 million inhabitants and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 4.6 trillion dollars.

As an Associated State, Panama will be able to participate in the economic processes, trade and cooperation with Mercosur without joining the Common External Tariff agreement, he adds.

The official report highlights that the panamenian head of state has highlighted that Panama offers Mercosur its logistics platform for entry into other markets, including Central American and the Caribbean.

In turn, the nation gains access to the market of a bloc of countries that comprise one of the largest economies in the world. Mercosur has as full members Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia.

In addition, Panama, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Suriname are associated States.

For its part, the Ministry of Trade and Industries stressed that the objective of the approach is to take advantage of the high degree of complementarity that Panama has with Mercosur.

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