Above: El Palacio de Las Garzas in Panama

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti and Panama signed several technical agreements during President Michel Martelly’s visit to the Central American country.

The two states signed an investment protection agreement that will protect Panamanian companies operating in Haiti and vice versa, along with agreements in the fields of agriculture, trade, tax collection and investment promotion.

Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli also signed a presidential decree that will help Haitian traders who buy products in Panama.

The order reduces the cost of visas for Haitian citizens visiting Panama to $50, and reduces the waiting time for visas from four months to one week.

It could prove a significant move for Haitians who travel to Panama to make their purchases.

Martelly also met with Martinelli, Foreign Minister Roberto Henriquez. He was joined in Haiti by a delegation including Foreign Minister Laurent Lamothe and Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin.

The two sides also discussed promoting Haitian tourism in Panama.