Republic of Panama

The traditionally friendly bilateral relations have a great potential for development. Over the last decade, Panama was the fastest growing country in Latin America, attracting the interest of the Brazilian business community.

In April 2000, the Memorandum of Understanding to Establish Political Consultations between the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Government of the Republic of Panama was signed. In November 2020, the first meeting of the mechanism was held.

Both  Foreign  Ministries are engaged in establishing a positive agenda, with the resumption of bilateral political dialogue and technical cooperation  activities.

In recent years, Brazil and Panama have developed significant investment ties. Brazilians have increasingly traveled to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean via Panama. Brazil and its companies benefit from the Panamanian development as a logistical hub.

There are also opportunities to streamline bilateral cooperation in areas of priority for the government of Panama, including bovine genetics, food security and the overall agricultural economy.

At the multilateral level, Brazil and Panama have quite convergent positions, with mutual support in the nomination of candidates for multilateral organizations and forums.

In 2019, bilateral trade totaled $1.83 billion. Brazilian exports amounted to $1.81 billion while imports reached $1.3 million. Bilateral trade balance had a significant Brazilian surplus of $1.8 billion.

Chronology of Bilateral Relations

2020 – The 1st Meeting of the Brazil-Panama Political Consultations Mechanism is held via videoconference (November 20).

2020  – The Brazilian government, through its Cooperation Agency, donates $ 25,000 to Panama  as humanitarian cooperation, following the damages caused by Hurricane Eta.

2018 – Foreign  Ministers Aloysio Nunes Ferreira and Isabel de Saint Malo hold a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum - Latin America, in São Paulo.

2016  – The Embassy of Brazil obtains authorization to establish the Brazil-Panama Chamber of Commerce. Representatives of the Public Prosecution Service of the two countries announce an understanding on  legal assistance.

2015  – President Dilma Rousseff visits Panama City during the 7th Summit of the Americas, accompanied by Minister Mauro Vieira (April 10 and 11).

2013 – Minister Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado visits Panama City on the occasion of the 23rd Ibero-American Summit (18 and 19 October).

2011  – Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota visits Panama (Panama City, June 13).

2010 – The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) Americas is established in Panama’s  Ciudad del Saber.

2008  – President Martín Torrijos visits Brazil, on the occasion of the Latin America and the Caribbean Summit on Integration and Development, in Costa do Sauípe.

2007 – President Martín Torrijos visits Brazil. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visits Panama.

2002  –  President Fernando Henrique Cardoso visits Panama.

2001 – President Mireya Moscoso visits Brazil

1989 – The United States of America invades Panama. The Brazilian government condemns the use of force in international relations and reiterates its support for the Panamanian sovereignty.