The federal government's official mission to Panama, which concluded this Wednesday (28), marked a new step in the integration of South American infrastructure. As part of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's delegation, the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, carried out a strategic agenda in Panama City, focused on attracting investments and exchanging logistics technology.
The outcome of the trip includes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Brazil and Panama and advances in negotiations to expand the air network between the two countries, consolidating Brazil's role as a protagonist in regional logistics.
During his speech at the opening of the International Economic Forum – Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, President Lula highlighted the progress of the South American Integration Routes program. "We remain committed to working with all neighboring countries. There are dozens of works to improve highways, waterways, railways, ports and airports, in addition to infoways and transmission lines, with the potential to double intra-regional trade in a few years."
For the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, Brazil's presence in Panama reaffirms the country's commitment to leading the development of regional infrastructure. "The objective is to hold a series of bilateral meetings to strengthen the economic development agenda, especially with a focus on the port sector, the aviation sector, the Brazilian infrastructure sector, and to see how Brazil can expand partnerships with these countries that are part of this entire region," he said.
Port Partnership and Green Corridor
One of the highlights of the mission was the formalization of the technical partnership aimed at the port sector. The signed document establishes four pillars of cooperation: increased competitiveness through new routes, decarbonization, technological modernization (with the use of artificial intelligence and Big Data), and professional training.
The agreement also provides for studies for the creation of a "Green Corridor" between Brazil and the Panama Canal; a route through which approximately 5.8 million tons of cargo transit annually. The objective is to encourage the use of sustainable fuels in navigation, aligning logistical efficiency with global emission reduction targets.
Political Agenda
On Tuesday evening (27), the minister accompanied President Lula in a meeting with the President of Chile, José Antonio Kast, strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. On Wednesday (28), the delegation participated in the International Development Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean, organized by CAF (Development Bank of Latin America).
