Press Releases

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett and Colleagues from the U.S. House of Representatives joined President Obama's Delegation to the re-opening of the Panama Canal on June 25.

The delegation was led by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman, Rep. Bill Schuster (R-PA) and Dr. Jill Biden, who represented the President during the two-day ceremony.

"I'm excited and honored to be a part of the delegation during this absolutely historic moment for global transport and commerce. During our time there, we focused on exploring the opportunities the expansion will provide in the Caribbean Basin, as well as opportunities for economic and trade partnerships. In our meeting with the Panamanian President, Juan Carlos Varela, I was able to speak with him about partnerships in transshipment and food-export technologies. I also had the opportunity to meet with State Department and Drug Enforcement officials to discuss drug and weapons trafficking interdiction efforts,” Plaskett said.

Panama considers itself the fastest growing economy in the Western Hemisphere. It is home to the world’s second largest free trade zone.

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