Panama has once again positioned itself at the center of Europe’s attention as a prime destination for foreign investment. The president of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE), Giulia De Sanctis, promoted the forum “Business Climate in Panama: An Entrepreneurial Perspective” in Rome. Held in partnership with Unindustria, the leading Italian business federation, the meeting aimed to bring the Latin American country closer to one of Europe’s most important industrial powers and assert the region’s emerging protagonism as a logistical, financial, and productive platform for access to Europe from Latin America and vice versa. “As stated in a press release by the Panamanian business group, the meeting served as a working base to promote productive and economic cooperation between both countries. The meeting’s theme and organization point to Panama’s interest in attracting Italian investment, an objective that will be achieved by showcasing the country’s open, stable, and globally connected business environment.
During her talk, De Sanctis pointed to Panama’s growth prospects, as “its economy will continue to expand by between 4% and 4.5% in 2025,” she predicted, thanks to its sound financial structure, dollarization, low inflation, and a robust service sector geared to regional trade. “Panama is a land of real opportunities,” she stressed, noting that its open, connected, and resilient economic model positions it as a unique meeting point between the Americas and Europe. That message could not have been received more enthusiastically by the Italian captains of industry, representing the industrial, energy, logistics, and financial sectors, which are already taking an active interest in the Andean region, thanks to Panama’s macroeconomic resilience and strategic location.
A Solid Bridge between the Americas and Europe
The Business Climate in Panama forum was thus intended to help consolidate Panama’s positioning as a strategic investment and commercial hub. It is a hub that is gaining strength as Panama prepares to enter the ranks of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and implements an ambitious plan to develop its infrastructure, which will exceed $20 billion in projects. Some of these include Line 3 of the Panama Metro, the Fourth Bridge on the Panama Canal, and new ports and airport terminals. The latter investments are expected to further connect the country to the world’s leading economic centers. Together, these projects will not only expand Panama’s logistical capacity but also strengthen its position as the natural bridge between the Pacific and Atlantic markets. There are, therefore, further reasons why Panama seeks to attract Italian investment, particularly in infrastructure, logistics, and high-tech value chains.
These developments are key to Panama’s role as an important node in global trade, making the Latin American country a privileged partner for European economies seeking to diversify their presence in the Western Hemisphere. Italy, whose industries are often export-led, could gain access to Latin American markets through Panama’s geographic and financial advantages, enabling a rapid and predictable commercial presence in the region.
Incentives and a Transparent Legal Framework
During her speech, De Sanctis also highlighted Panama’s special investment regimes, including the Headquarters of Multinational Companies (SEM) and the Multinational Manufacturing Services (EMMA) framework. These regimes are designed to provide fiscal incentives, legal certainty, and operational flexibility for companies establishing regional headquarters or production plants in the Andean countries. European, North American, and Asian multinational companies are already taking advantage of these favorable conditions that allow them to benefit from exemption mechanisms and stability agreements. These policies prevent investors from being harmed by changes to the legal environment and tax regime, demonstrating the government’s intention to build a long-term, pro-business ecosystem built on trust.
The Panamanian business delegation highlighted that the country is not just a financial center but also a diverse business ecosystem that offers first-class infrastructure, a skilled, bilingual workforce, and a safe, transparent regulatory framework. This combination makes Panama an effective regional hub for operational management, one that international companies can count on to deliver the speed and logistical efficiency they need to succeed in an increasingly globalized market.
Logistics, Port, and Human Capital
One of the Latin American country’s most valuable assets is its logistical infrastructure, which has enabled it to rank among the best in the region. The interconnection of the country’s port system across both oceans, the modernization of its airports, and the continuous development of digital networks enable companies to operate seamlessly in the region. In addition, human capital is also well-trained and bilingual (English and Spanish), with professionals who are increasingly competent in areas such as technology, engineering, and business administration. This competitive edge is what sets the Andean country apart from other emerging markets in the region.
Panama’s potential, De Sanctis emphasized, goes far beyond geography: “The Andean country’s macroeconomic stability, sound banking system, and first-class logistics offer Italy and the rest of Europe an ideal platform to expand their investments into Latin America. Its business environment, on the other hand, is what makes Panama unique, as the Panamanian model offers investors a rare combination of predictability, global connectivity, and human talent that is key to obtaining sustainable yields,” the president of APEDE added.
Openness, Innovation, and Sustainability
The Rome meeting was supported by the Italo-Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, one of the institutions that are multiplying between the two countries. In addition, Panama’s ambassador to Italy, Winston Spadafora, and the ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Francisco Ameglio, were also present. They both highlighted European investors’ growing interest in Panama, and especially from Italy, in productive sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, sustainable tourism, and advanced logistics.
APEDE reiterated its commitment to promoting Panama abroad with three fundamental pillars: trust, transparency, and sustainability. “These will be the defining elements of the new stage of development that we are just beginning to chart as a nation and as a business community,” said De Sanctis. In that sense, Panama seeks to attract Italian investment by building an economy that is as open as it is sustainable and by making European investors feel that they have a reliable, trustworthy partner.
Italy as a Strategic Ally
Italy, with its large industrial base and technological know-how, is an ideal partner for Panama to diversify its economy. Italian companies with experience in energy, infrastructure, shipping, or advanced manufacturing could find in Panama both a commercial ally and a regional operations center. It is a center that allows them to take advantage of fiscal advantages, strategic positioning, and political stability, among other issues. This can promote technology transfer, sustainable industrial development, and strengthen bilateral trade.
Panama Seeks to Attract Italian Investment with its Open Economic Model: Conclusion
As Panama seeks to attract Italian investment, it is not just presenting itself as a destination for capital but also as a strategic partner in the European Union’s economic projection into Latin America. With its solid macroeconomic base, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and reputation for trust, Panama is increasingly consolidating itself as one of the most dynamic and forward-looking economies in the region.