---
title: "Mulino Highlights Anti-Corruption Stance at Chamber of Commerce Ceremony"
date: 2026-04-08
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/mulino-anti-corruption-chamber-commerce/
categories:
  - "Business"
  - "Politics"
tags:
  - "business climate"
  - "Chamber of Commerce"
  - "corruption"
  - "José Raúl Mulino"
  - "Panama politics"
---

# Mulino Highlights Anti-Corruption Stance at Chamber of Commerce Ceremony

## What Happened

President José Raúl Mulino used the swearing-in ceremony for the new president of the Chamber of Commerce to present a forceful message about his government’s approach to public administration. He described himself as “a president without a zero circle, without influence peddlers and without thieving ministers,” signaling a rejection of favoritism and corruption inside the Executive Branch.

The remarks placed good governance and institutional credibility at the center of his message before leaders from the business community, a sector that plays a major role in Panama’s economy and investment climate.

## Why the Message Matters

Mulino’s comments reflect a political emphasis on restoring trust in government and strengthening the relationship between public institutions and private enterprise. In Panama, the Chamber of Commerce is one of the most visible business organizations and often serves as a platform for discussion about economic policy, competitiveness and state management.

By framing his administration as free from influence networks and corrupt officials, the president sought to project an image of discipline and transparency at a time when citizens and business leaders closely watch how the government handles public resources and decision-making.

## Context for Panama

Statements about corruption and ethical leadership carry particular weight in Panama, where public confidence in institutions has often depended on the government’s ability to show accountability. For the business sector, a stable and trustworthy state is closely tied to investment, employment and long-term economic planning.

Mulino’s remarks also fit within the broader public conversation about how the state should interact with commerce, especially as Panama continues to depend on a strong services economy, logistics activity and confidence in its institutions.

## What to Watch

The key question now is whether the president’s words are matched by concrete decisions inside the administration. Business and political observers will be watching for signals on appointments, public contracting, and the government’s broader anti-corruption posture.

For the Chamber of Commerce and the private sector, the message from the ceremony suggests an expectation of cleaner governance and a more direct relationship between the state and the country’s economic leaders.