Panama: Digital Hub
Digital
March 12, 2021

Panama: Digital Hub
In today's world, almost everything is just a click
away. Connectivity is a very important part of our lives, and it will continue
to grow as the world embarks on a recovery process. Staying connected is
crucial to doing so many things like watching a movie, ordering food or buying
whatever items we need, from books, music to clothing and electronics. The communications,
data management, content creation, and innovative solutions to old and new
problems will be an intrinsic part of the global recovery process. Both
countries and companies will depend on data and communications to reach their
stakeholders, plan their strategies and generate innovation in their products
and services.
Panama is no stranger to promoting connectivity. At a glance, we have two of the busiest ports
in Latin America, with access to 144 maritime routes and 1,700 ports around the
world, and 89 air destinations that reach 38 countries directly from the Hub of
the Americas; we are also the meeting point for seven continental fiber optic
cables, with two additional on the way, representing 100% of regional Internet
traffic, 97% of international voice traffic and 90% of data transmission
(Source: ECLAC).
Our country offers the right environment for companies
to recover from the crisis caused by COVID-19, since our digital platform
allows: storing data safely and reliably; managing and developing contents, for
areas such as logistics, aviation, pharmacy, financial services, agriculture
and many others.
Currently the country has the Strategy for the Development of the ICT Sector 2025 - PANAMA DIGITAL
HUB made up of 4 human talent pillars,
physical and social infrastructure, financial resources, and legal regulatory
framework. The Strategy creates a map to follow of coordinated programs and
projects that make it possible to achieve the strategic objectives to promote
cluster relationships and sufficient resources to make the ICT sector
competitive at an international level (https://panamahub.digital/es/panama-hub-digital/acerca-de).
As part of the digital transformation process, in 2020
an agreement was signed with the Israeli company BaseCamp, for the development
of a technological ecosystem based on the Gav-Yam Negev technology and
innovation park model, in Beersheba, Tel Aviv. This park stands out worldwide for its
developments in cyber security issues. Simultaneously and as part of this
process, work is being done on the development and implementation of platforms
that: automate government processes, boost electronic commerce and promote
educational innovation.
For the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo
Cohen: “turning Panama into a digital 'hub' aims to attract investments from
technology and innovation companies around the world to encourage
entrepreneurship, education and enhance Panamanian talent, closing the
inequality gap”.
Becoming a Digital Hub will allow the country to
further strengthen its logistics platform, increasing its value and wealth to
improve aspects such as exports, tourism and attraction of foreign investment,
thus increasing employment and boosting the economy. Thanks to these benefits
that are expected to be achieved, special importance has been given to the
establishment of data centers, startups incubation, entrepreneurship and
technological research initiatives.