Tampa leaders look to Panama

It's 48 miles long, connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and takes more than a day to traverse.

Feels just right for Tampa.

So right, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce signed a cooperative agreement with the American Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Panama. The agreement comes right before the Panama Canal opens an expansion that would double its capacity. The two groups say the agreement will strengthen economic ties between Tampa Bay and Panama.

A Panama delegation of 34 business and government leaders visited Tampa Bay in May, where they took part in more than 50 meetings. Both sides formalized the partnership with an agreement that promises to “foster closer relationships on both sides of the Gulf of Mexico,” says chamber chairman Ronald Christaldi, an attorney with Shumaker Loop & Kendrick, in a release.

“With the dramatic expansion of the Panama Canal about to become a reality, Panama will become the indisputable hub for shipping commerce in this hemisphere,” Christaldi adds. “Tampa Bay is well-positioned to take advantage of that increase capacity.”

Christaldi has been busy on the international circuit lately. He traveled to Chile last year with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman to talk international trade. And last month, Christaldi joined a Tampa chamber delegation on a trip to Cuba, hoping to develop ties as American government officials soften policies there.

“We want Tampa to be known as a global player,” Christaldi says. “Agreements like the one we signed with Panama make it very clear to everyone around the world that we're open for business.”