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The economic recovery of Panama, the consolidation of its logistics platform, the Canal's investment plan, the opening of advanced technologies, and the growth of tourism were the highlights emphasized by Panamanian President, José Raúl Mulino, during a meeting held in New York with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Citi Group (Citibank), Jane Fraser.
At the meeting, the executive expressed interest in strengthening support for Panama through a closer relationship, offering Citi's global financing capabilities, access to international markets, and connections with institutional investors.
Mulino and Fraser discussed major projects promoted by the government, such as the new Petroterminal de Panamá project, the electrical interconnection with Colombia and Ecuador, the Puerto Armuelles multipurpose pier, the Panamá-David train, the third Metro line, the expansion of highways with ENA, as well as various initiatives in health, education, and the agricultural sector.
They also covered projected investments for the Panama Canal. In this regard, Ilya Espino de Marotta, administrator of the Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (ACP), gave a brief presentation on ongoing projects, which include two new ports, a gas pipeline, a logistics corridor, and the Río Indio reservoir.
Fraser, for her part, showed great interest in supporting the projects developed by the Government and the ACP, and recommended that Panama maintain its investment grade, warning that global financing programs "will be increasingly selective."
During the meeting, which included a conversation with a group of 26 highly relevant investors and Citi's leadership team, the president reported that Panama registered robust growth of 5.5% in the first half of the year.
"We are moving at a very good pace and expect to exceed the IMF's growth projections for this year of 3.8%. The most valuable aspect of this news is that it is sustained and diversified growth. We have achieved this with fiscal discipline, stability, and, more than a good government plan, a government that listens to you, the investors, and the private sector," Mulino explained.
Panama's president indicated that the Canal continues to be the backbone of the logistics sector, supported by an $8.5 billion investment plan for the coming years that includes the Río Indio reservoir, new port terminals, and an intermodal logistics corridor.
Mulino affirmed that this strategic leap will allow the country to consolidate itself as the port that will provide access to the entire world, facilitating manufacturing, added value, and the redistribution of goods.
As part of these priorities, the President highlighted the implementation of a Port Community System to interconnect in real time with all supply chain actors and streamline cargo flow.
In the area of technology and innovation, Mulino highlighted Panama's incorporation into Pax Silica, the alliance led by the United States along with more than thirty countries, to secure semiconductor and artificial intelligence supply chains. Panama has enormous potential in these areas and we are prepared for these investments, he assured. He also indicated that the government of Panama launched the National Strategy for Advanced Technologies: Semiconductors, Microelectronics and Artificial Intelligence.
Another pillar addressed was the government's effort to restore the country's international prestige. "Last year we were removed from the European Union's list of high-risk jurisdictions thanks to an unprecedented diplomatic, technical, and legal effort. We maintain our institutional strategy to be removed from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in tax matters, and we are confident that this progress will be formally recognized in the coming months."
Another strength of the Panamanian economy is tourism, Mulino told investors and Citi's senior management. He highlighted that, as of July 2026, a 19.3% growth in visitors is registered, figures that are complemented by the launch of the new country brand: "Panama, Host of the World."
It is not a new slogan, "it is the most honest way we found to describe what we were already doing: receiving with generosity and promoting prosperity," Mulino emphasized.
