The European Investment Bank (EIB) formally launched its regional representation for Central America and Mexico at the 30th Ibero-American Summit in Madrid on 5 November. Based in Panama and operational since October 2026, the new office marks an important step towards strengthening partnerships between the European Union’s bank and Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama.
Under a host country agreement with the Republic of Panama, the new office will help strengthen cooperation with partners by fostering closer engagement with public institutions, businesses and financial institutions across the countries it serves. It will help identify strategic investment projects across the countries it serves, support their development and implementation, and improve coordination on the ground to advance shared priorities.
The launch was attended by EIB President Nadia Calviño and Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, alongside representatives from Central America and Mexico.
The new regional office will support the implementation of the EIB’s investment priorities in Central America, including the initiative to provide around €1 billion in financing for electricity integration, announced at the CELAC–EU Summit in Santa Marta in November 2025. Significant progress has since been made in implementing the initiative, and the office will help accelerate the finalisation of the remaining projects in Honduras and Guatemala.
“The European Investment Bank, as the EU’s financing arm, is already a key partner in the region. We have financed strategic infrastructure such as the Panama Canal, supported investment in water and healthcare, and helped empower small and medium-sized businesses and women. I am particularly pleased with the substantial progress we have achieved in advancing energy integration in Central America. This shows that the EIB delivers on its commitments. Our new regional office in Panama will strengthen ties between our two regions and help deliver tangible benefits for millions of people and businesses across Central America and Mexico. Latin America and the Caribbean can count on the EU as a trusted partner, now and in the future,” said EIB President Nadia Calviño.
“Panama’s role as the base for the EIB’s regional representation builds on its connectivity and established partnership with the Bank. The representation will facilitate closer cooperation with governments, financial institutions and businesses across Central America and Mexico, supporting the preparation and implementation of projects in energy, sustainable mobility, water and sanitation, and innovation,” said Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez.
The new representation accompanies a renewed phase of EIB activity in Central America and Mexico. Since September 2025, the Bank has signed new financing in Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico, while preparing further operations in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.
The strengthened partnership supports the EU’s Global Gateway strategy by fostering sustainable infrastructure and closer economic links between Europe and its partner countries. EIB Global will work with the EU Delegation, European and regional development finance institutions, and public and private sector partners to help translate shared priorities into investment projects with lasting economic, social and environmental benefits.
Background information
EIB Group
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is the financing arm of the European Union, owned by the 27 Member States, and one of the largest multilateral development banks in the world. In 2025, the EIB Group signed €100 billion in new financing and advisory services for over 870 high-impact projects under eight core priorities that support EU policy objectives: climate action and the environment, digitalization and technological innovation, security and defense, territorial cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, strong global partnerships and the savings and investments union. Beyond long-term loans for large infrastructure, the EIB Group crowds in private investment for high-risk innovative projects and businesses, with a growing role in Europe’s markets for venture debt, venture capital, guarantees and securitizations.
About EIB Global
EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm dedicated to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance. EIB Global is designed to foster strong, focused partnerships within Team Europe, alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world.
EIB cooperation with Panama
Panama is an established EIB partner and a regional centre for connectivity, commerce and international conferences. It has the largest historical EIB financing volume in Central America, with more than $1.1 billion, including $500 million for the expansion of the Panama Canal. Its connectivity and concentration of businesses make it a base from which to serve partners across Central America and Mexico. The Bank’s cooperation with the country supports sustainable infrastructure and private sector investment, while the regional representation will support closer contact, project preparation and implementation throughout its area of coverage. (https://www.eib.org/de/press/all/2026-404-panama-eib-formally-launches-regional-representation-to-strengthen-partnerships-with-central-american-countries-and-mexico)