TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and its executive team had outstanding participation during the annual convention of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association (PRMA) held at El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, from May 18 - 21.
Mr. Eduardo Pagán, General Manager and Vice President, and Ana Medellín, Senior Manager of Human Resources and Business Services, were panelists in key conversations highlighting the event’s robust program. TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico President Kevin Kendrick also attended to connect and share insights with customers, other industry leaders, and attendees.
"Talking with the Government" was the first panel in which Mr. Pagán participated alongside leaders of various industries in the country, where an interesting dialogue took place on the multisectoral and multifactorial strategies the government is implementing to continue fostering the business environment. During this panel, held on Thursday, May 18, the Governor spoke about the PRopósito Strategic Framework, designed by the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), as well as the initiatives that are underway around reconstruction, technology, cinema, tourism, and human resources, among others.
On Saturday, May 20, Mr. Pagán joined the discussion “The Shipping Industry and its Importance in the Economy of Puerto Rico,” along with Atty. Joel A. Pizá Batiz, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, and other industry representatives. In this conversation, industry-specific topics were addressed, such as the benefits of the Jones Act for Puerto Rico, the advantage that 53' containers represent for wholesalers, the increase of cargo that arrives from the port of Jacksonville, and its role in the economy of Puerto Rico, among other subjects.
For her part, Ms. Medellín participated in a Conversation with the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, Honorable Jenniffer González Colón as the primary guest. During the dialogue, the Resident Commissioner updated her legislative agenda regarding health, energy, and reconstruction, among other priority issues for the Island.
Ms. Medellín addressed issues of improving maritime transport, logistics, and global challenges to ensure the supply of consumer goods and essential cargo to the Island through a question posed to the Resident Commissioner. Mrs. González Colón highlighted her achievement of a million-dollar allocation in Congress for the dredging of the San Juan Bay, which will lower costs by reducing the time of entry and exit of vessels. Other issues that González Colón addressed, and are currently being discussed in Congress, was the incentive to create American ships of a size that fits Puerto Rico and the consideration of amendments regarding the use of technology in the docks and airports on the Island.
Another highlight for TOTE during the convention was the election of Mr. Peter Santiago, TOTE Maritime Agency Puerto Rico's Vice President of Commercial and Operations, as the new director of the metro-west area of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association.
TOTE's active involvement in the convention solidifies its position as a top player in the shipping industry of Puerto Rico.