Panama opens its doors to Spanish investors in the Central American market

 

The director of the National Decentralization Authority of Panama (AND), Roxana Méndez de Obarrio, was responsible for presenting these perspectives during a meeting held within the framework of the 'Conference series with an Ibero-American focus'.

 

The event, which was inaugurated by the Director of Relations with Ibero-America of CEOE and permanent secretary of CEIB, Married Narcissus, and the closing of the Panamanian ambassador to Spain, Hector Infante, focused on raising awareness of the possibilities for cooperation arising from the administrative decentralization process currently being promoted Panama.

 

Méndez de Obarrio explained that this process opens up a range of projects with significant social and economic impact in key sectors such as infrastructure, water and sanitation, waste management, tourism, agriculture, and urban development. The Panamanian government emphasized the favorable business climate and the tools being made available to the private sector to actively participate in these initiatives.

 

Narciso Casado, for his part, He valued the solid business relations between Spain and Panama, both at the bilateral and regional levels. He highlighted the joint work carried out by CEOE and CEIB in priority areas such as infrastructure, digitalization, public-private partnerships, sustainability and tourism, highlighting the close collaboration with the National Council of Private Enterprise (CONEP) in PanamaCasado also praised Panamanian initiatives to attract foreign investment, especially in the logistics and tourism sectors, encouraging the presentation of projects such as Colonial Roads of Panama in the next Ibero-American Tourism Forum in Colombia.

 

The director of the AND highlighted Panama's strategic position as a transit and transportation hub for goods, where nearly 85% of GDP is generated in commercial, maritime, logistics, and financial activities linked to the Panama Canal. She emphasized the importance of aligning the Strategic Development Plan of the country between the central government and local governments to facilitate growth.

 

Méndez de Obarrio outlined the opportunities in various sectors: the modernization of water management, the expansion and improvement of hospitals and health centers, increased agricultural productivity (mentioning projects such as the Potosí Dam and Reservoir), the construction of a university campus for more than 60.000 students, rail projects, a new air logistics terminal, and the expansion of the metro. He particularly highlighted the Panama-David Train project as a key investment for national integrity and security, with the potential to generate development and employment.

 

In addition, territorial planning and the restoration of historic centers and routes are being promoted to strengthen local tourism, integrating communities into the country's overall vision.

 

The Embassador Hector Infante He closed the event by reporting on the creation of the National Decentralization Authority as a key entity to ensure that funds reach the different provinces, boosting trade and well-being throughout the country. He highlighted the investment of more than $27 million in various projects that will benefit businesses, especially in infrastructure, and emphasized the presence of more than 100 Spanish companies in Panama, which already generate more than 6.000 direct jobs, thus strengthening the alliance between the two countries.