In 2011, RILA took a group of retail's top supply chain executives to visit Panama and tour the emerging logistics infrastructure. Recently, RILA's executive vice president of retail operations, Casey Chroust returned to the country to speak at the Panama Logistics Forum, view the developments made since the last visit, and discuss progress in the region. During his visit, he met with representatives from the Panama Canal authority, Panama ports authority and MIT Ports, as well as the Minister and Vice Minister of Economy and Trade, witnessing first-hand the latest developments in the area and the potential implications on the retail logistics and supply chain industry.

Top of mind for many executives is the expansion of the Panama Canal, allowing larger vessels trans-oceanic access and doubling the current capacity. Although the expansion of the canal has been delayed several months, government officials are expected to know shortly if construction will meet the previously scheduled 2014 date of completion.

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Keywords: Ocean Transportation, Global Gateways, Transportation & Distribution, Logistics, Latin America, Panamanian retail industry, retail growth in Latin America, Panama Canal expansion to stimulate international trade