HISTORY AND PURPOSE

The Logistics Business Council (COEL) is committed to the development of the multimodal logistics services platform in the country. From its origins, the intention has been to find spaces for decision-making that allow us to take full advantage of the enormous opportunities that Panama has.

The creation of COEL was announced on February 6, 2012, organizing its first work sessions at the headquarters of the Panama Chamber of Shipping and was legally constituted on February 22, 2013. Among its initial founders are the Association of Zone Users Libre de Colón (AUZLC), the Panamanian Association of Cargo Agencies (APAC), the Panamanian Association of Maritime Law (APADEMAR), the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE), the American Chamber of Commerce of Panama (AMCHAM), the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP), the Maritime Chamber of Panama (CMP), the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation (CANATRACA) and the Union of Customs Brokers of Panama (UNCAP). Today it is made up of 23 organizations.

Since 2015, COEL has seen an important milestone materialized, when by Executive Decree 27914 -A, the Consultative Council was created as a body to support the work carried out by the country's Logistics Cabinet. Four representatives of COEL (from the sector: maritime, transport, cargo and air) are integrated into this Advisory Council, which must facilitate the presentation of the interests of all members of the union.

COEL during its beginnings in 2012-2013 led the development of the National Strategic Logistics Plan (PENLOG), in direct collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Said effort in 2016 was materialized in an Action Plan that, from the Secretariat for Logistics and Competitiveness Affairs of the Presidency of the Republic, would facilitate the development of concrete work plans.

The Logistics Strategy of our country is a commitment acquired in 2015 by the Logistics Cabinet, within the framework of the Roadmap of the Logistics Profile of Panama. The objectives of this document are:

• Develop a National Logistics Strategy for 2030.
• Recommend the institutional framework, the organizational structure, the processes and systems necessary to formalize the strategic planning and competitive intelligence function for the logistics sector, which corresponds to the impact that logistics has on the national economy.
• Identify and prioritize economic activities and possible diversification towards new activities that allow the best use of the competitive advantages of Panama.
• Identify and prioritize the infrastructure and land requirements to make the National Logistics Strategy viable in a sustainable manner.

The National Logistics Strategy is a great country-project, with high potential to contribute to the modernization and development of Panama.