PANAMA · ECONOMY
Key Facts
- —What is happening The World Economic Forum opened a Country Strategy Meeting in Panama City on Wednesday, 21 October, with 27 business leaders from 17 countries, running to Thursday, 22 October.
- —Why it matters Panama is pitching the Panama Canal, its ports and its energy projects to global executives, less than two weeks after the earthquake of Friday, 9 October.
- —The numbers 27 business leaders from 17 countries take part over two days, 21 and 22 October. No investment figure or contract had been announced after the first day.
- —Who is who The World Economic Forum (WEF) convenes governments and companies. Panama is represented by President José Raúl Mulino’s government, and guests include chiefs of EQT, AES, Maersk and Stena Line.
- —What to watch Whether the planned memorandum between the WEF and Panama’s Ministry of Environment on plastic waste is signed, and whether any investment is announced by the end of Thursday, 22 October.
- —Power Index Panama ranks 11th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 34.2 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you US energy and power groups EQT and AES have chief executives in the room, but no deal has been announced, so there is no direct change for US travellers or importers yet.
The World Economic Forum is meeting 27 business leaders from 17 countries in Panama City on 21 and 22 October. The agenda covers the Panama Canal, ports, energy and investment.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) opened a Country Strategy Meeting in Panama City on Wednesday, 21 October. It gathers 27 business leaders from 17 countries.
The meeting runs until Thursday, 22 October, and was organised with the Panamanian government. It matters to US readers because chiefs of US energy groups EQT and AES are among the named guests.
What the World Economic Forum Is Doing in Panama
The WEF says the meeting will bring together senior leaders from government and business in Panama City. It is held in collaboration with the Government of Panama.
The programme lists a special dialogue between President José Raúl Mulino and chief executives or board chairs of global companies. It also includes high-level meetings between the executives and ministers.
Juan Carlos Orillac, the Minister of the Presidency, spoke at the opening on the president’s behalf. He thanked the WEF and pointed to Panama’s air links, ports, Colón Free Zone and financial centre.
Kristelle Getzler, Secretary of Economic Affairs and Competitiveness in the Ministry of the Presidency, set out the aim. She said Panama wants to present its opportunities to investors and promote foreign direct investment as a source of jobs.
Who Is in the Room
Toby Rice is president and chief executive of EQT Corporation, a US natural gas producer. Vincent Clerc is chief executive of A.P. Møller-Maersk, the Danish shipping and logistics group.
Andrés Gluski is chairman and chief executive of AES Corporation, a US power company. Niclas Mårtensson is chief executive of Stena Line Group, a European ferry operator.
Marisol Argueta de Barillas, the WEF’s head for Latin America, outlined the agenda. Panama’s foreign ministry says 27 leaders from 17 countries are taking part.
The Agenda, From Canal to Plastics
The WEF lists three priorities: energy and logistics, trade corridors, and sustainability. The first asks how to turn the Panama Canal into a multi-energy hub for growth and resilient supply chains.
The second looks at how ports and industrial ecosystems can strengthen Panama as a global trade corridor. The third covers climate- and nature-positive goals, water security and plastics circularity.
The WEF says the agenda also covers Panama’s reforms, including a recent tax-transparency law that applies from the 2027 fiscal year. Sessions on supply-chain resilience and preparing the country for artificial intelligence were also announced.
A memorandum between the WEF and the Ministry of Environment on plastic waste was planned for the opening day. The sources do not say whether it has been signed.
Why Panama Is Courting Investors Now
President Mulino invited guests to this meeting at Davos in January, a Panamanian newspaper reported at the time. It comes less than two weeks after an earthquake struck Panama on Friday, 9 October.
Orillac said Panama met the earthquake with resilience and unity. Earlier reports cover the quake rebuild trusts and a telethon for quake homes.
The government wants Panama seen as the logistics, multi-energy, digital and commercial hub of the Americas. The meeting is meant to support that strategy, Panama’s foreign ministry says.
What It Means for US Readers
Panama is pitching the Canal, its ports and its energy projects to firms that ship, power and fuel global trade. EQT and AES are US companies with chief executives in the room.
The sources report no investment figure or contract from the first day. Travellers and importers see no direct change from the meeting itself.
Background is in Panama Geopolitics Explained 2026 and Panama in Latin America. See also the latest Canal slot news and the Panama City guide.
What Is Not Known
The sources quote no statement from President Mulino, so it is not known what he said or whether he joined the dialogue. They do not confirm that the memorandum with the Ministry of Environment was signed.
Panama’s foreign ministry speaks of 27 leaders, while Telemetro, a Panamanian broadcaster, speaks of 27 companies. No investment amount or company commitment has been reported.
What Comes Next
The meeting ends on Thursday, 22 October, and the sources do not say whether the WEF will publish a summary. Any investment announcement would have to come from the companies or the Panamanian government.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the World Economic Forum doing in Panama?
The WEF is holding a Country Strategy Meeting in Panama City on 21 and 22 October. It is organised with the Government of Panama.
How many business leaders are attending?
Panama’s foreign ministry says 27 leaders from 17 countries are taking part. Named executives lead EQT, A.P. Møller-Maersk, AES and Stena Line.
What is on the agenda?
The WEF lists energy and logistics, trade corridors, and sustainability. The Panama Canal is to be discussed as a multi-energy hub.
Has any investment been announced?
No investment figure or contract had been reported after the first day. A memorandum on plastic waste was planned, but the sources do not say it was signed.
Why is Panama holding the meeting now?
The government wants to present Panama to investors as a logistics and energy hub. It comes less than two weeks after the earthquake of 9 October.
Sources: World Economic Forum, What to know about the Country Strategy Meeting on Panama; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama, 21 October; La Prensa, 21 October; Telemetro, 21 October; Infobae, 22 October; Panamá América, 21 January (all accessed 22 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief