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PANAMA, Feb. 10-- The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Panama in June 2017 could be a big boost for the Central American country's agricultural sector, a senior Panamanian official has said. Agriculture is a crucial part of the Panamanian economy, employing 17 percent of the workforce but facing major challenges. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Panama's deputy minister of agricultural development Esteban Giron said that collaboration with China offered new forms of cooperation and transfers of technology which would boost production. For Giron, China's vast experience and technological development have made it a key ally for Panama to strengthen its rural economy, since over 70 percent of its economy comes from services. "Relations with China are very important, mainly because we are establishing technical cooperation consisting in the training of our technical personnel on biosecurity and agricultural best practices, including a network of laboratories," he indicated. The setting up of laboratories dedicated to animal and crop health are key for Panama to not only guarantee international quality standards for biosecurity, but also increase the application of modern technology, explained Giron. These laboratories will be staffed by Panamanians but will be open to the exchanging of experiences with Chinese technicians, while most of the equipment will be provided by China. | 
