Many businesses in Qatar, including Panamanian companies, have managed to weather the challenges of Covid-19 since lockdowns and quarantine measures were implemented at the beginning of the pandemic, according to Panama ambassador Musa Asvat.
The ambassador also lauded the government’s efforts to shield the economy from the impact of the health crisis, citing the need for businesses to adhere to the directives issued by the Ministry of Public Health.
“The State of Qatar has made a remarkable work against the pandemic with less cases, low mortality, and the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, as well as the support of all professionals working in the frontline.
“I would like to highlight the importance of resilience not only for Panamanian companies in Qatar but for all companies during this process of adapting to the new normal; they should follow all measures of the Ministry of Public Health,” Asvat told Gulf Times.
As economies worldwide adjust to the “new normal,” Asvat said, Panamanian companies are focusing more on utilising technology and innovation to address clients’ needs.
“Research is key to understanding the needs and demands of the market, led by the customers. The new normal is bringing new challenges to governments and all kinds of organisations. Digital trade has played a crucial role in keeping trade flowing.
“As the physical movement of goods and people is restricted, we can see the increase of trade by non-traditional platforms, such as social media, e-commerce, and digital payments, to teleconferencing with business partners around the world replacing physical documents with electronic records, and digitally enabled transactions in goods and services,” Asvat pointed out.
The ambassador also noted that the Embassy of Panama in Doha is working together with the Qatari government to implement initiatives that would boost economic opportunities for both the countries.
“Qatar and Panama are both leaders in their respective regions and one objective in common is to build the bridge between the GCC and Central America — that means an exchange of trade of a population of more than 100mn in both areas,” Asvat said.
He added: “We are working in close collaboration with the State of Qatar to conclude negotiations for several agreements that will result in great opportunities for companies of both the countries to facilitate trade and speed up transactions, making the exchange of goods faster in either direction. We are finding efficient ways for these agreements to benefit not just a few countries and regions, but the whole world.”
“The State of Qatar has made a remarkable work against the pandemic with less cases, low mortality, and the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, as well as the support of all professionals working in the frontline.
“I would like to highlight the importance of resilience not only for Panamanian companies in Qatar but for all companies during this process of adapting to the new normal; they should follow all measures of the Ministry of Public Health,” Asvat told Gulf Times.
As economies worldwide adjust to the “new normal,” Asvat said, Panamanian companies are focusing more on utilising technology and innovation to address clients’ needs.
“Research is key to understanding the needs and demands of the market, led by the customers. The new normal is bringing new challenges to governments and all kinds of organisations. Digital trade has played a crucial role in keeping trade flowing.
“As the physical movement of goods and people is restricted, we can see the increase of trade by non-traditional platforms, such as social media, e-commerce, and digital payments, to teleconferencing with business partners around the world replacing physical documents with electronic records, and digitally enabled transactions in goods and services,” Asvat pointed out.
The ambassador also noted that the Embassy of Panama in Doha is working together with the Qatari government to implement initiatives that would boost economic opportunities for both the countries.
“Qatar and Panama are both leaders in their respective regions and one objective in common is to build the bridge between the GCC and Central America — that means an exchange of trade of a population of more than 100mn in both areas,” Asvat said.
He added: “We are working in close collaboration with the State of Qatar to conclude negotiations for several agreements that will result in great opportunities for companies of both the countries to facilitate trade and speed up transactions, making the exchange of goods faster in either direction. We are finding efficient ways for these agreements to benefit not just a few countries and regions, but the whole world.”
