Panama Strengthens Tech Roadmap: AI, Regulation and Investment in Focus
Major Development
Panama has made a significant move by establishing the National Commission for Critical and Emerging Technologies and its subcommittee on Artificial Intelligence through Executive Decree No. 36 dated May 7, 2026. This initiative reflects a strategic state vision to coordinate the development, adoption, and responsible use of emerging technologies, including AI, beyond political cycles, underlining its strategic importance for the nation Government.
Recent Key Topics
1. National Strategy and AI Ethics
What Happened: In April and May, key events took place —a conversation between Senacyt and the U.S. Embassy, and the national AI forum by AIG— focused on ethics, educational curriculum, and public policies for AI Senacyt and AIG.
Context: Simultaneously, the National Assembly began debating Bill 413, and Senacyt is advancing the national AI strategy, highlighting the tension between innovation and regulation La Prensa opinion.
Why It Matters: Establishing a clear and ethical roadmap for AI will allow Panama to position itself as a regional leader in responsible innovation, avoiding social risks, power concentrations, or technological gaps.
Recommendation: Entrepreneurs and companies should actively participate in consultation spaces, offer practical cases, and ensure regulations reflect real sector and country needs.
2. Financial Regulation Transformation
What Happened: The Superintendency of Securities Market is progressing on drafting a new regulatory framework for the stock market (history from 1999), focusing on protecting investors, integrating fintech, and regulating digital assets like crypto-assets La Prensa. Additionally, the market has seen notable growth in issuers, managed assets, and collective financing.
Context: Panama's financial sector seeks modernization and the inclusion of digital tools, demanding regulatory supervision and agility.
Why It Matters: This framework will update the rules for fintech startups, issuers of instruments, and developers of tokens or crypto-assets, opening new opportunities in a safer environment.
Recommendation: Fintech startups and financial entrepreneurs should utilize channels like the Finhub to adjust their regulatory models from the initial phase, avoiding obstacles and legal risks.
3. Programs to Attract Qualified Investment
What Happened: The Ministry of Commerce and Industries launched an enhanced version of its Qualified Investors program, incorporating more strategic intermediaries. The goal is to attract foreign capital with high technological and economic impact MICI.
Context: Foreign direct investment fell 61.5% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, posing a challenge for innovation and employment generation projects La Prensa.
Why It Matters: Attracting qualified investors from early stages can revive the capital flow toward startups, technological infrastructure, and digital transformation, key to closing post-pandemic gaps.
Recommendation: Entrepreneurs and startups should connect with this platform to present scalable and sustainable proposals, strengthening ties with structured investment networks.
Conclusion
Panama is building a more robust tech ecosystem by combining public policy definition on AI, financial market modernization, and strategies to attract quality investment. These advances not only foster innovation but also balance regulation and competitiveness. In the coming days, it will be crucial to follow the development of the AI regulatory framework, the draft of the new securities market law, and the MICI's investment calls. Together, they can make the difference between a follower and a regional leader.