Quick Read
- The CAF Business Matchmaking Forum was held in Panama City on January 29-30, 2026.
- The forum generated US$72.2 million in commercial expectations for Latin America and the Caribbean.
- US$2.6 million in business deals were closed directly during the two-day event.
- Over 400 business leaders from 34 countries participated, holding more than 4,000 meetings.
- Key sectors with high engagement included agri-food, manufacturing, fashion, and services.
PANAMA CITY (Azat TV) – A recent business matchmaking forum organized by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – in Panama City has generated over US$72.2 million in commercial expectations, signaling robust potential for regional economic integration and export growth. Held on January 29-30, 2026, the event brought together more than 400 business leaders from across Latin America, the Caribbean, and other global markets, facilitating over 4,000 one-on-one meetings aimed at forging new commercial ties and strengthening value chains.
The Latin America and the Caribbean Business Matchmaking Forum marked a significant milestone as the first business matchmaking roundtable organized exclusively among countries of Latin America and the Caribbean by CAF. It was conducted within the broader framework of the International Economic Forum – Latin America and the Caribbean 2026. The two-day event saw participation from 149 buyers representing 34 countries and nearly 270 exporters from 20 countries, fostering an environment ripe for direct commercial engagement.
Driving Regional Commercial Opportunities
Of the substantial US$72.2 million in commercial expectations reported by participating international buyers, US$2.6 million in deals were successfully closed during the event itself. This immediate success underscores the effectiveness of the forum’s direct engagement model. Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF, highlighted the forum’s impact, stating, “The success of this business matchmaking forum demonstrates that Latin America and the Caribbean has a competitive export offering with the capacity to integrate into global markets. This space has become one of the region’s main platforms for business connection, generating new commercial opportunities and strengthening productive value chains.”
The forum’s design facilitated over 4,000 business meetings, with each participating company averaging more than 20 sessions. These 25-minute one-on-one meetings were pre-scheduled, complemented by additional arrangements made on-site, maximizing interaction and potential for collaboration. Representatives from nations including Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Curaçao were among the Caribbean participants, alongside delegates from major global markets such such as the United States, Germany, Canada, Spain, Italy, Japan, and South Korea, broadening the scope of potential partnerships.
Forum Highlights and Participation
Beyond the immediate deals, the forum established a strong pipeline for future transactions. Consolidated results from buyers project US$9.1 million in business deals to be concluded within the next three months. Furthermore, an additional US$20.6 million is expected within a three- to six-month period, with US$21.6 million projected for deals beyond six months. These forward-looking projections reflect the deep commercial linkages initiated during the event and the sustained interest in regional trade expansion.
The diverse participation extended beyond Latin American and Caribbean nations to include key economies like Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Bolivia. This broad representation fostered a rich environment for cross-border collaboration and market penetration for regional exporters.
Projected Growth and Key Sectors
The sectors that recorded the highest levels of engagement during the forum were agri-food, manufacturing, fashion, and services. This reflects the varied and increasingly sophisticated export capabilities of the Latin American and Caribbean region. The strong interest in these areas suggests a growing demand for the region’s products and expertise in global markets, positioning these sectors as critical drivers of future economic growth and diversification.
The forum’s structure, emphasizing pre-scheduled and on-site one-on-one sessions, appears to be a highly effective model for fostering concrete business connections, as evidenced by both the immediate deals closed and the significant mid-term commercial projections. This approach suggests a template for future regional economic initiatives aimed at translating commercial interest into tangible trade outcomes.