Barbados will be establishing an embassy in Panama.
In the message to mark Panama Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Government of Barbados was in the process of setting up the embassy, which would allow more exchanges between the two countries.
Thousands of Barbadians helped build the Panama Canal, and the embassy would also help forge ancestral links.
The message follows in full:
On August 15th, Barbadians will commemorate Panama Day.
Panama Day recognises those illustrious Barbadians who bravely left our shores to head to a hitherto unknown territory risking their lives to seek their fortunes. Little did they know that their pioneering efforts would result in what is recognised as one of the construction marvels of our times.
Not only did the Panama Canal connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but it also transformed the economy of Panama and Central America and was at the centre of a new era of global connectivity. To this day, the Panama Canal remains a significant bridgehead for commerce and maritime transportation.
Twenty thousand Barbadians contributed to this architectural feat.
The Government of Barbados is proud to build on the legacy of those pioneering Barbadians and is in the process of establishing an Embassy in Panama City. This Embassy will not only serve as a tribute to their memories but will also cement and expand the strong ties between the Government and people of Panama.
The Embassy will provide valuable opportunities in trade exchanges as well as cultural interactions between the two countries. It will also allow many Panamanians of Barbadian descent to connect with their ancestral roots.
The future of the Barbados-Panama connection is full of new opportunities for growth and development. (PR/SAT)
