Canning House, on the ground in Panama

Canning House, on the ground in Panama

Canning House’s CEO, Jeremy Browne, and COO and Deputy CEO, Ian Perrin, recently visited Panama, undertaking a fact-finding trip ahead of the country’s general election.

In Panama from 23-25 April, an active agenda saw Jeremy and Ian meeting with a range of stakeholders including HM Ambassador James Dauris, British Ambassador to Panama, and staff of the British Embassy; Panamanian parliamentarians, business leaders and political commentators; and officials working on the Panama Canal and the energy transition.

Activities began apace on 24 April, with outgoing members of Panama’s parliament, Juan Diego Vásquez, Edison Broce and Gabriel Silva meeting Jeremy and Ian for breakfast. This was followed by a mid-morning meeting with Juan Arias Strunz, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP).

HMA James Dauris, Juan Arias Stunz, Jeremy Browne (L-R)

Next, a lunch at the Ambassador’s Residence had Canning House in lively conversation with a range of leading Panamanian political commentators; former presidential candidate Eduardo Quirós, journalist Dalia Pichel, consultant Beatriz Ho and political scientist Alfredo Castillero Hoyos; and HM Ambassador and the Embassy’s head of politics.

Eduardo Quirós, Jeremy Browne, Dalia Pichel, HMA James Dauris, Beatriz Ho, Ian Perrin, Alfredo Castillero Hoyos (L-R)

Jeremy and Ian were then accompanied by HM Ambassador for a visit to the Panama Canal. The Canal is a key conduit for maritime trade, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across the Isthmus of Panama and transporting around $270Bn worth of cargo every year.

Jeremy Browne, Ian Perrin and HMA James Dauris (L-R) at the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks

Finally, discussion over dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence centred on the theme of Panama’s energy transition strategy, including its Canal sustainability programme. Around the table were Victor Vial, CFO of the Panama Canal; Carlos Moreno from CABEI; Gabriel Borras, country head for Panama at WSP; Guadalupe Gonzalez, Energy Director at Panama’s National Secretariat of Energy; and HM Ambassador.

Canning House warmly thanks HM Ambassador and staff at the British Embassy in Panama for their assistance in the organisation and success of this trip.

In Panama's general election on Sunday 5 May, voters will select a new president, vice president, and 71 legislators, in a single round of voting. In our webinar taking place on Tuesday 7 May, Canning House discusses the results and their implications for the country.

We welcome a fantastic panel: Dalia Pichel, journalist and reporter at Nueva Nación; Ramiro Blázquez, Head of Research and Strategy at BancTrust and Co.; Damion Potter, former British Ambassador to Panama; and Sebastian Fernández, Analyst at Control Risks. Jeremy Browne will act as moderator.

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