The CAF Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean continues to position its annual International Economic Forum in Panama as the emerging “Davos of Latin America,” establishing a permanent, high-level platform for regional and global leaders to engage on economic integration, sustainability, competitiveness, and long-term development strategy.
Held on January 28 and 29, 2026, the forum convened approximately 3,000 selected leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside senior international delegations from countries including Denmark, Italy, Qatar, South Africa and the UAE. The event reinforced Panama’s growing role as a central convening hub for hemispheric dialogue on finance, trade, innovation, and policy coordination.
Ambergris Caye and Belize were represented at the forum by Luigi Wewege, President of Caye International Bank, and Dustin Bayne Rennie, Director of REMAX Belize, both headquartered on Ambergris Caye island. Their participation highlighted the island’s increasing engagement in regional economic dialogue and its growing visibility within international financial and investment circles.
The forum featured high-level participation from Heads of State and Government, including: José Raúl Mulino, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Gustavo Petro, Daniel Noboa, Bernardo Arévalo, Rodrigo Paz Pereira, Andrew Holness, and José Antonio Kast. Their collective presence reinforced the forum’s stature as a key venue for shaping regional economic priorities and policy coordination.
“Discussions throughout the forum highlighted a shared regional imperative: deeper economic integration, improved competitiveness, and the strategic deployment of capital to support sustainable growth,” said Luigi Wewege, President of Caye International Bank. “CAF continues to play a pivotal convening role by bringing together political leadership, multilateral institutions, and private-sector stakeholders in a setting that encourages pragmatic dialogue, policy alignment, and long-term investment thinking across Latin America and the Caribbean.”
A central theme throughout the forum was the acceleration of digital infrastructure, cross-border capital flows, and innovation-driven growth, areas of increasing relevance for smaller economies and international financial centers such as Belize. Panels and roundtable discussions emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity, financial inclusion, correspondent banking connectivity, and technology-enabled financial services in strengthening economic resilience across the region.
The keynote address, “Transforming Growth: How AI and the Digital Economy Are Redefining Competitiveness,” was delivered by Michio Kaku, offering forward-looking perspectives on how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping productivity, labor markets, and national competitiveness. His remarks underscored the urgency for both developed and developing economies to invest in digital capabilities while ensuring inclusive access and responsible governance.
Beyond the formal agenda, the forum provided valuable opportunities for bilateral engagement and relationship-building among policymakers, financial institutions, and private-sector leaders. Informal discussions explored how smaller economies and international financial centers can better integrate into regional value chains, attract diversified investment, and leverage technology to overcome structural constraints.
For Belize and Ambergris Caye in particular, the forum underscored the growing relevance of sound financial governance, sustainable tourism investment, and digital financial services in supporting long-term economic stability. As regional capital increasingly seeks jurisdictions offering transparency, resilience, and innovation, Belize’s role as a well-regulated international banking and investment hub continues to gain attention.
Reflecting on the event, Dustin Bayne Rennie, Director of REMAX Belize, noted that he was pleased to contribute to regional discussions that advance inclusive and sustainable development for Belize and the wider Caribbean, particularly in areas related to responsible investment, real estate development, and long-term economic planning.
The participation of Ambergris Caye based institutions at this landmark forum reflects a broader commitment to proactive regional engagement and thought leadership, ensuring that Belize remains aligned with evolving global standards, investor expectations, and development priorities across Latin America and the Caribbean.
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