It became clear that Panama, when it organizes, can respond effectively, the business guild concluded. We were where we needed to be, opening doors and creating contacts, the business sector stated. The arrival of delegations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, along with organizations such as the UN, OAS, OECD, and ECLAC, and the presence of more than 30 multinational corporations left a clear idea: Panama is no longer just a transit hub; it is also a meeting point. For the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap), the challenge now is to turn visibility into investment, meetings into jobs, and agreements into real development. The Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap) said that the 2026 Latin American and Caribbean International Economic Forum had an impact on the daily economy and on how Panama presented itself to other countries. For the Chamber, Panama being the host was a result of years of compliance, logistical capacity, and earned trust. For the Chamber, this support demonstrated that the country is moving in the same direction. On a regional level, the Forum served to reposition Panama as a point where conversations and negotiations take place. Not as a nice speech, but as a real necessity. One of the moments that Cciap considered key was the visit to its headquarters by the elected president of Chile, José Antonio Kast, accompanied by six state ministers. Seven presidents and heads of state arrived in the country, along with regional figures such as Juan Manuel Santos, Iván Duque, Laura Chinchilla, and Eduardo Frei, in addition to ministers, businesspeople, and representatives of international organizations from more than 25 countries. Cciap highlighted that nearly 9,000 visitors activated hotels, restaurants, transportation, and services. That, they said, is a direct impact. The guild also highlighted the presence of the National Government, led by President José Raúl Mulino, with ministers and vice ministers accompanying the Forum's events. From here, it was stated that the region's countries need to coordinate better, prioritize, and face the global changes together. The meeting ended with the signing of a Cooperation Agreement with the Confederation of Production and Commerce, focused on facilitating business and connecting companies from both countries.
