Origins of the Panama Gateway International Association

Panama Gateway originated in 2008 as a small, dedicated, volunteer group with a vision to be recognized as the international “go-to” organization that promotes, facilitates and supports business activities and information exchanges about Panama. With the re-launch of the website in the spring of 2016, the founding volunteers have built that vision into an impressive composition of supporting universities, multinational companies, small and medium-size enterprises, trade organizations, and leading professionals. How did we do that? One brick at a time. Just like any business venture that starts out in a garage and grows into a recognized leader. Annual strategic planning sessions, countless seminar panels, workshops, travel across the United States and abroad, “lunch-and-learns”, meetings, dedication, and a passion for this cause have brought us to this point. As a result, Panama Gateway has become a respected innovator in the global education, training, networking, and research in import/export programs for business leaders who want to do business in Panama. Going forward, the volunteers who led us to this point, and those who will inherit what we have built, will continue to expand the open, transparent, and meaningful relationships between Panama and the world that are the hallmark of the Panama Gateway International Association.

– John W. Wallace Jr., Chairman
April 2016

Vision

To be recognized as the international “go-to” organization that promotes, facilitates, and supports business activities and information exchanges about the Republic of Panama.

Mission

PGIA’s mission is two-fold:

• Provide educational tools and information that will create business opportunities and strengthen cooperation between companies, trade groups, and governments that do business with Panama.
• Create and share business practices, ideas, and experiences among Panama Gateway’s members that will enable them to engage with each other in a highly ethical and effective manner.

Purpose

To be a resource that educates the global community about Panama’s critical role in international commerce and that supports Panama in fulfilling that role.