Panama is at a critical juncture in its development. A serious debate is underway in the country about the possibility of joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Andrés Velasco, former Minister of Finance of Chile, who led his country's accession process to the OECD, will participate in the event. He will share his experience regarding the challenges and opportunities. The meeting will also feature experiences from other countries such as Costa Rica, Colombia, and Peru, with the participation of figures like Marianne Bennette, Catalina Craney, and Ana María Sánchez, who have been involved in these processes in their respective countries.
The business association warned that these processes are not limited to meeting requirements but imply deep changes in public institutions, such as greater transparency, better controls, and less discretionary management, aspects that have been complex in other nations.
Furthermore, it was pointed out that the debate should not focus solely on whether it is advisable to move forward, but on whether Panama has the capacity to sustain these transformations over time, considering that such changes are usually lengthy and demanding.
CADE 2026 will take place from April 22 to 24 at the Sheraton Grand Panama Hotel and is part of a series of meetings aimed at expanding the national discussion by integrating various sectors of the country.
From APEDE, they reiterated that the objective is not to provide definitive answers but to promote a serious analysis that allows for informed decisions about the country's future regarding the possible accession to the OECD.
But it also raises key questions such as what membership really entails, what benefits it can bring, what adjustments are required, and how it would impact the Panamanian economy.
The topic will be addressed at the Annual Conference of Executives, CADE 2026, which will serve as a space to analyze these points based on data.
The Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE) warned that it is no longer enough to simply grow; it is necessary to define how to grow and under what conditions, with well-thought-out, long-term decisions focused on their impact on the economy and people's lives.
This proposal arises amidst the debate over the country's possible accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
