SGA Chairman PR Gov. Fortuño (r) thanks American Chamber of Commerce in Panama (PAN AMCHAM) President Luis Laguerre (l) for hosting a luncheon in honor of the SGA delegation. Gov. Fortuño was the keynote speaker before an audience of over 200 Chamber members.

PR Gov. Fortuño led a delegation of Southern states' economic development officials on a mission to strengthen trade ties with Latin America. With the Gov. are KY Commerce Sec. Larry Hayes and GA International Trade Dir. Kathe Falls (l) and USVI Econ. Dev. Authority COO Jennifer Nugent-Hill and SGA Ex. Dir. Diane Duff (r).

Members of the SGA delegation, including Ex. Dir. Diane Duff (l) NC International Trade Dir. Jean Davis (cl), Enterprise FL International Trade VP Fred Glickman (cr) and MS Mgr. of Foreign Offices Marsha Hamilton attended a reception at the residence of the US Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission.

Members of the SGA delegation to Latin America attended a reception hosted by the US Embassy DCM. Pictured here are (from left) KY Commerce Secretary Larry Hayes and his wife Melissa, AR WTC (LATAM) Herbert Morales, PR First Lady Lucé Vela, PR Gov. Fortuño, SGA ED Diane Duff, NC International Trade Director Jean Davis, MS Manager of Foreign Offices Marsha Hamilton, US Embassy in Panama DCM John Law, SGA Communications Director Charlotte Cole, GA International Trade Director Kathe Falls and Enterprise FL International Trade VP Fred Glickman.

The SGA delegation promoted "Made in the American South" as a key message during the trade mission to Panama. Here the delegation is pictured with Panamanian government commerce officials following a meeting on trade opportunities.

Panamanian President Martinelli enjoys a tasty treat from Harvest Fresh Farm at the Arkansas World Trade Center exhibit, which along with SGA's exhibit, were part of the USA Pavilion.

President Martinelli invited members of the SGA delegation to the Presidential Palace for a private meeting on trade.

President Martinelli discussed strengthening trade ties between the American South and Panama with members of the SGA delegation during the trade mission.

President Martinelli (c) and the SGA trade delegation pose for an official photo at the Presidential Palace following a press conference.

The US Embassy in Panama invited PR Gov. Fortuño and the SGA delegation to cut the ribbon for the USA Pavilion during the opening ceremonies of Expocomer - one of the largest trade shows conducted in Latin America.

SGA Chairman PR Gov. Fortuño (c) and US Embassy Senior Commercial Officer Daniel Crocker (r) join the SGA delegation at the American South booth in the USA Pavilion.

SGA Chairman PR Gov. Fortuño joins business representatives at the Arkansas World Trade Center booth in the USA Pavilion to promote "Made in the American South."

Dancers in traditional Panamanian costume pose in front of the American South booth at Expocomer.

Salsa dancers provided high energy entertainment at the popular Puerto Rico booth in the USA Pavilion during the Expocomer inauguration ceremonies.

Panama Canal expansion project head engineer Juan "Johnny" Wong (l) explains the process of building new locks to PR Commerce Sec. Pérez-Riera (c) and KY Commerce Sec. Hayes. The Canal is essential to ensuring efficient trade links between the American South and the world.

Panama Canal expansion project lead engineer Wong (l) explains to PR Commerce Sec. Pérez-Riera that the effort is "like building the Canal all over again." The Canal expansion will better facilitate trade between ports in the American South and those in Asia, Australia and western South America.

The SGA delegation poses in front of the Panama Canal expansion site. You can watch the progress of the project by going to http://www.pancanal.com/eng/expansion/.