Under the Cooperation Agreement between the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT) and the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panama (AmCham Panamá), a Trade Mission to Silicon Valley, in the state of California, United States, was held on October 28 and 29, 2025, with the purpose of strengthening the ties between Panama’s innovation ecosystem and one of the leading global centers of technological and business development. This initiative is part of Panama’s efforts to consolidate national capabilities in science, technology and innovation, as well as of AmCham Panamá’s role as a facilitator of dialogue and cooperation among the public sector, the private sector and international stakeholders.

The mission responds to the strategic guidelines for strengthening the national innovation ecosystem through closer coordination among public institutions, private companies, universities and research centers. In this context, the mission aimed to create opportunities for the exchange of knowledge, to identify opportunities for international cooperation and to promote strategic partnerships that help position Panama within the new value chains based on innovation and knowledge.

As part of the agenda carried out during the mission, the Panamanian delegation held meetings and institutional visits with leaders of the global technology sector, including KPMG, Ericsson, Dell Technologies, AMD, Microsoft and Anthropic. These visits provided firsthand insight into emerging trends in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, semiconductors and technological transformation, and made it possible to explore opportunities for collaboration that can contribute to strengthening the science, technology and innovation ecosystem in Panama.

Assessment of the Mission

The trade mission to Silicon Valley was assessed very positively by the delegates, who highlighted the quality of the agenda, the relevance of the companies visited and the high level of the interactions generated. It was regarded as a productive, high-level experience, well organized and strategically aligned with the country’s development and innovation priorities.

The delegates noted that the agenda was well structured, with high-level meetings and efficient use of time, which allowed direct contact with leading companies and key institutions of the innovation ecosystem. The participation of organizations such as KPMG and Stanford was considered especially valuable, as it provided strategic analysis and a better understanding of the technology, innovation and business environment.

The mission also allowed participants to gain a deeper understanding of how the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem works, as well as to identify concrete opportunities and specific needs for the development of future initiatives in Panama, particularly in strategic sectors such as microelectronics and semiconductors.

The delegation was regarded as diverse and representative, bringing together stakeholders from the government, academic, commercial and industrial sectors. This composition made for a high level of exchange and collaboration among the members of the delegation, strengthening not only international ties but also local professional relationships, which was identified as a key element for the mission’s long-term impact.

Panamanian delegation: SENACYT, Dell Technologies Panama, Fundación Ciudad del Saber, Georgia Tech Panamá, ARPIA, W PANAMÁ, Autoridad de Turismo, Innovation Smart District, CRIVB, Arizona State University, IAIA, Ericsson, Microsoft and Morgan & Morgan.