By Claudia Cataldi International Correspondent
The Fairmont Hotel in Copacabana, under the reception of its general manager Netto Moreira, set the stage for the Panama Summit, an event that reinforced business ties between Brazil and Panama. Organized by the Instituto Coalizão Rio, the gathering brought together entrepreneurs and public officials for a business breakfast that marked the return of the institute’s major networking events. Leading the organization was Coalizão president Luís Cláudio Souza Leão, alongside the institute’s Director of International Relations, Michelle Fernandes.
The opening session featured Panama’s Consul General in Brazil, Rubén Arguelles; the State Secretary for Economic Development, Fernanda Curdi; Federal Deputy and President of the Parliamentary Front for Energy, General Pazzuelo; City Councilor and President of the Permanent Environmental Commission, Diego Faro; the State’s Deputy Secretary for International Relations, Bruno Costa; as well as Coalizão president Luís Cláudio Souza Leão and International Relations Director Michelle Fernandes.
The highlight of the program was the panel Business Opportunities: Why Panama is the Next Step for Brazilian Companies?, moderated by Consul General Rubén Arguelles. With clarity and enthusiasm, he led a strategic conversation with prominent figures from the private and institutional sectors: Eduardo Lugo, CEO of Maritime Services, who emphasized Panama’s logistics and port solutions to strengthen Brazilian supply chains; Raul Gonzalez, partner at LAC Legal, who highlighted the importance of tax and regulatory advisory services for establishing operations in Panama; Roberta Batista, Sales Executive at Copa Airlines, who presented Panama as an air hub to connect markets and expand commercial networks; René Gomez, president of the Panama Maritime Chamber, who discussed opportunities in the maritime industry and the private sector’s vision; and Irene Escobar, International Banking Relations Officer at Banesco, who brought perspectives on financing and connections within the global financial system.
The event fully achieved its goal of fostering institutional and business dialogue between Brazil and Panama, consolidating concrete opportunities for cooperation in strategic areas.
“We move forward with a clear purpose: to bring sustainable development to our State, driven by entrepreneurs, companies, and public servants who are passionate about Rio de Janeiro. Our mission is to turn Rio’s natural vocation into concrete opportunities, connecting it with global centers of innovation and business such as Panama. I am convinced that by opening new doors for international investment, we are also strengthening our identity: a Rio that is open, vibrant, resilient, and ready to lead sustainable growth agendas in Brazil and Latin America. Coalizão was born to unite these forces and to advance with courage and hope,” said Luís Cláudio Souza Leão.
Consul General Rubén Arguelles also emphasized the importance of the event and praised Coalizão Rio’s work. “Events like this reinforce the ties between Panama and Brazil and demonstrate how cooperation can generate real benefits for our economies. Panama’s free trade zones offer unique opportunities for Brazilian businesses, and initiatives such as Coalizão Rio, under the leadership of president Luís Cláudio Souza Leão, further strengthen this bridge between our two countries. Moderating this panel with business leaders from different sectors was a privilege, as it showed in concrete terms how Panama is ready to be the next step for Brazilian companies.”
The overall program was conducted by Luís Cláudio Souza Leão and Michelle Fernandes, with international correspondent Claudia Cataldi serving as master of ceremonies. The audience included numerous authorities, further underscoring the institutional and business significance of the Panama Summit.