WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao will welcome a large trade delegation from Panama from August 19 through 21, 2026, as both countries seek to deepen economic ties in trade, logistics, investment and regional supply chains.
The delegation will be led by Panama’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Julio Moltó, and will include more than 70 entrepreneurs and representatives of Panamanian institutions.
Minister Middelhof in Panama
The visit is a direct follow-up to the working visit made by Curaçao Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof to Panama in April. It forms part of the Ministry of Economic Development’s strategy to connect Curaçao more closely with promising growth markets in the region.
During Middelhof’s April visit, Curaçao and Panama resumed ministerial-level economic dialogue after more than 14 years.
The discussions focused on trade, logistics, regional distribution and opportunities to strengthen economic links between the two countries. Middelhof also formally proposed establishing a structured economic dialogue between Curaçao and Panama.
Curaçao sees Panama as an important gateway to suppliers, products and trade flows from Latin America because of the Panama Canal, the Colón Free Zone and the country’s extensive logistics infrastructure.
At the same time, Curaçao believes it can play a complementary role as a trade and logistics platform serving island markets across the Caribbean.
The government says this approach also supports Curaçao’s National Export Strategy.
The Panamanian mission will begin on August 19 with business meetings and an official opening.
On August 20, government officials and business representatives from both countries will participate in the first Panama-Curaçao Dialogue on Trade, Logistics and Investment.
The talks will focus on identifying concrete opportunities for cooperation in bilateral trade, regional logistics, free-trade-zone cooperation, trade facilitation, regional supply chains, food security, maritime and air connections and investment promotion.
Local companies interested in participating in the sessions can contact the Ministry of Economic Development by August 19.
Middelhof said the large Panamanian delegation demonstrates that Curaçao’s outreach is beginning to produce results.
“In April, we went to Panama with a clear message: Curaçao wants to use its economic relationships within the region more actively and strategically,” Middelhof said.
Four months later, he added, Curaçao will receive Panama’s commerce minister together with a substantial group of entrepreneurs and institutional representatives.
According to Middelhof, the objective is to bring promising markets closer to Curaçao’s business community and population while creating new commercial opportunities throughout the region.