David International Fair: An Event that Boosts the Regional Economy and Culture

Chiriquí, Panama: The atmosphere at the 68th annual David International Fair is one of celebration and enthusiasm and I know because I haven’t missed one in the past 15 years, other than the Covid year in Panama. Thursday was our day in the sunshine of at least 40 degrees Celsius but I got a great hat at the coffee place that was giving them away to keep the sun at bay.  My wife and I marveled at how they dragged that Air Panama airplane onto the fairgrounds.  It had to be in pieces and built on the grounds. 

The TVN News team along with the Newsroom Panama team visited the fairgrounds, where a family-friendly atmosphere is always found, with more than 300,000 visitors expected throughout its duration which lasts until the 23rd on Sunday.  The event, held in the province of Chiriquí, has become an important economic and cultural driver, not only for the region but for the entire country. Heriberto Caballero, president of the David International Fair, highlighted the economic impact this event has on the province.

“The province’s economy takes a turn with the holding of this 68th edition of the fair. The fair puts the economy in motion, generating approximately $50 million dollars, a very good figure for the province and the country, and of course, that generates an impact that moves exhibitors, transportation, and hotels. The province’s tourism is significantly boosted by this fair,” Caballero said.

One of the greatest achievements of this year’s fair was the active participation of various international embassies. Countries such as China, Costa Rica, Honduras, and El Salvador were invited to exhibit their products and promote cultural and commercial exchange.  According to Caballero, this is an important step toward the internationalization of the event: “We seek to establish a bridge so that the David International Fair becomes a showcase not only for products from Chiriquí and Panama, but also for products from Central America and the world.”  During this day of the fair, a special moment was experienced with the raising of the Indian flag. The strains of the country’s national anthem marked the beginning of the tour of the event by the Indian ambassador, Sumit Seth. This event symbolized the fair’s opening to a broader international panorama, positioning the David International Fair not only as a commercial and agricultural space, but also as a cultural and tourist meeting point.