KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade will be hosting its first inaugural meeting of the Joint Commission between Jamaica and Panama.

The technical meeting is to be held today and tomorrow and aims to promote and facilitate cooperation between both countries in the field of economic and technical fields.

The ministry said Jamaica will focus its attention in providing technical assistance to Panama in the development of sports, culture and education. Panama in return, will assist Jamaica in the areas of aviation, ports and tourism.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Pearnel Charles Jr said that “the Joint commission exemplifies a truly progressive model of international partnership in development cooperation. It promotes joint ownership of cooperation objectives, and through meetings such as this, allows flexibility to remain responsive to changing national circumstances and the needs of the peoples.”

“The partnership has opened a way for increased collaboration in areas such as maritime and port development, tourism, civil aviation, education, sports and trade and investment,” which he says are “critical to our economic growth and job creation agenda,” he added.