The President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) backs Panama's economic future and announces a regional office.
The EIB expressed its interest in financing large-scale projects such as the Panama-David train, the electrical interconnection with Colombia, and works in drinking water, transport, and energy. This decision is based on the bank's bet on Panama as a "good economic example and a logistics benchmark".
Additionally, the President of the EIB announced that during her visit, a financing contract will be signed with the company Naturgy for $300 million, destined to strengthen the national electrical grid and improve service for Panamanians.
Economic Achievements and Investment Budget
Calviño congratulated Panama for its removal, in June of this year, from the European Union's discriminatory list of high-risk countries due to its regime against money laundering and terrorist financing. On her first trip outside Europe at the helm of the EIB, Calviño highlighted the country's economic achievements, stating that in the current "turbulent environment", Panama "is more important than ever for the European Union".
The visit underscores the country's strategic role, with Panama being the first destination in the region on the President of the European Investment Bank's international agenda.
Financing of Large Projects and Regional Office
The EIB, the financial arm of the EU, seeks close collaboration with Panama and expressed its interest in financing large-scale projects, including: the Panama-David train, the electrical interconnection with Colombia, and other works in the sectors of drinking water, transport, and energy.
As an action that underscores the country's strategic role, Calviño announced that the EIB will open a regional office in Panama to serve the Latin American market. She also mentioned the investment in Line 3 of the Panama Metro.
Following the meeting, the President of the EIB met with ministers such as Juan Carlos Orillac (Presidency), Felipe Chapman (Economy and Finance), Fernando Boyd (Health), José Ramón Icaza (Canal Affairs), and Javier Martínez Acha (Foreign Affairs).
At this meeting, Minister Chapman emphasized that the government prioritizes investment in the issue of water and waste management in the country, given its great need. Minister Chapman highlighted the key support that the European Investment Bank provided, along with other multilateral entities, in the then-Panama Canal expansion project, demonstrating ties of trust between both parties.
President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, met today with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calviño, in an encounter that reaffirmed the strategic interest of the European Union (EU) in the Panamanian economy.
The President described this achievement as "a very important and powerful message for the international community". In turn, President Mulino stressed that his administration has "put order in public finances" and announced that the 2026 budget will include the largest investment budget in history, reaching around B/. 11 billion.
These resources will be directed towards infrastructures such as roads, production paths, and bridges, as well as for the rescue of abandoned works, especially hospitals, given their social importance.
