Development of tourism programs and integration of projects with a sense of belonging are treated in Creative Economics

Panama, January 7, 2026. - Topics such as the Municipal Tourism Development Programme, the project "Made in Panama," the advances on the way to the World of Coffee Panama 2026, the events of the Bicentennial of the Anfictionic Congress and the "Voices for our Region" Ideas Festival of CAF were developed at the first meeting of the year's Board of Directors of the Commission's Coordination of Creative and Cultural Industries.

The board of directors includes ministers of state, directors of institutions and members of local governments and an update of the work of the committees. The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, explained how the creative economy has an impact on national development.

Miguel Fábrega, National Director of Creative Economics, indicated that an INDESA study dating from 2017 indicates that the creative economy contributes 3.1% of national GDP and between 2019 and 2020 generated 5.8% of employment in Panama.

It was reported that 38 projects at local government level have been identified from the implementation of the Creative Economy in communities, through the National Decentralization Authority and with the Creative Economy of the Ministry of Culture, that develop tourism products and identify the wealth of the territories.

Also discussed was the integration of the project "Made in Panama" by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries into the creative processes that generate economic gain and strengthens national pride, both from its creation and from its consumption.