The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, and directors of the Banking Association of Panama (ABP) held a meeting this Monday, in order to reach consensus points towards the National Government’s objective of facilitating access to the banking system for all Panamanians.
“I am very interested in banking the Panamanian people; that every Panamanian has the right to a bank account,” Mulino told the leaders of the banking sector. “Help me to bank the country.”
To achieve this goal, and to generate confidence in the banks operating in the country, President Mulino said that, under his administration, the Financial Analysis Unit will be an entity that will help the system, and that it will not be used for political persecution, nor to obstruct the access of honest Panamanians to any type of account.
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Felipe Chapman, also participated in the meeting. He stressed that the National Government is working on preparing a prudent and realistic budget, taking into account the country’s financial situation and managed with transparency. This is in order to generate the confidence that is needed to achieve economic recovery.
The members of the ABP expressed their willingness to work together with the National Government towards the modernization of the banking system.
The President of the ABP, Carlos Berguido, the President of the Board of Directors, Raúl Guizado Novey, and the rest of the association’s directors attended on behalf of the union.
President Mulino was accompanied by the Ministers of the Presidency (Juan Carlos Orillac) and Economy and Finance (Felipe Chapman); in addition to Darío Javier Herrera, director of the Financial Analysis Unit; and Milton Ayón, nominated for the position of Superintendent of Banks.
Also participating were the Director General of Revenue, Camilo Valdés; the Director General of International Financial and Fiscal Strategy of the MEF, Isabel Vecchio; the General Manager of the National Bank, Javier Carrizo; the General Manager of the Savings Bank, Andrés Farrugia; and the Secretary of Economic Affairs and Competitiveness, Kristelle Getzler.
