Panama has the first teak processing plant.

Ecotopia Teak opened its doors on January 28th in the town of Chepo, where national authorities and presidents of export associations such as APEX, SIP, and CONEP gathered.

"This investment represents a significant innovation for our country, as it allows us to export products with high domestic added value, introducing knowledge and technology transfer to export timber. Furthermore, it must comply with the highest international environmental standards to open up new markets in Europe, Asia, and North America," stated Ambassador Carmen Gisela Vergara, General Administrator of the Authority for Investment Attraction and Export Promotion (PROPANAMA).

Explained that last year, a delegation participated with FSC® certified wood producers in the launch of the country brand "Panama Teak" during Dubai WoodShow 2022, which generated orders for Panamanian participants. Concluded by stating that this year, they will also participate alongside Panamanian companies in this fair to promote job creation with knowledge and technology transfer through increased exports.

She concluded by stating that this year, they will also participate alongside Panamanian companies in this fair to promote, through increased exports, job creation with knowledge and technology transfer.

On her part, Bianca Morán, the administrative manager of Ecotopia Teak, explained during the inauguration ceremony for the 2023 teak export that this plant enables them to reach European markets with a stabilized, precise, and high-quality finished product, not just raw materials.

The importance of adding value to export products, as Ecotopia Teak does, lies in diversifying export offerings and creating new jobs in rural areas with a high level of training, providing well-being to the populations. 

The Executive Director of the Sustainable Forestry Management Corporation of Ecuador, Juan Carlos Palacios, considered, "This investment for Panama and the region is a starting point because this company sets an example, not only for Central America but also for South America. It is one of the few factories that produces a value-added certified product like wood, which has an impact on reducing our dependence on markets like Asia to sell our production."