The event, organized by CAF –the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean–, took place within the framework of the 2026 International Economic Forum and marked a milestone as the first initiative of this kind for the region.
International Reach and Business Participation
Held on January 29 and 30 in the Panamanian capital, the event brought together 149 buyers from 34 countries and approximately 270 exporters from 20 nations.
CAF Business Roundtable Generates Expectations of Over $72 Million
The meeting organized by CAF in Panama gathered 400 entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean, achieving immediate business closures of $2.6 million.
The business roundtable, titled 'Latin America and the Caribbean: Connection to the Global Market,' concluded with commercial projections reaching $72,208,019.
The meetings were held under a scheduled 25-minute format, allowing for direct and efficient interaction among the various economic actors.
According to reports from international buyers, of this total figure, $2,646,800 correspond to transactions closed directly during the event.
The representation included markets of great relevance such as the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain, Japan, South Korea, and India, in addition to a strong regional presence led by Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and the host country, Panama, among other Latin American and Caribbean nations.
Commercial Projections and Sectoral Dynamism
The results reported by participants allow for anticipating a sustained commercial flow for the current year.
The sectors that showed the most activity were agribusiness, manufacturing, the fashion system, and services.
Strengthening Global Connections
Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF, highlighted that the success of this event confirms the competitiveness of the region's exportable offer and its capacity for integration into global value chains.
During the two days, more than 4,000 business appointments were managed, with an average of 20 meetings per entrepreneur.
It is estimated that in the next three months, business totaling $9,114,970 will be formalized; between three and six months, the figure would rise to $20,616,100; and for periods longer than a semester, an additional $21,628,899 is projected.
