International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds

The Fund was created by the Law, which main objectives are:

Establish a long-term savings mechanism for the Panamanian State; and

Establish a stabilization mechanism in case of a state of emergency (declared by the Cabinet’s Council) and economic slowdowns.

The Law was approved and published by the National

Assembly of Panama, and can be publicly found on the FAP’s website (in Spanish version)

The Law, Article 34– explains the annual laws of the General Budget of the Panamanian State and the budgetary executions will be subject to the present Law in such a way as to ensure a prudent fiscal policy and sustainable public debt. The absolute value of the deficit adjusted to the Public Non- Financial sector in relationship to the estimated annual nominal GDP shall be calculated on a cash basis and may not exceed 2.0% for the years 2019, 1.75% for years 2020 – 2021, and 1.5% for the year 2022.

The Law, Article 35– explains and establishes when it is declared “state of emergency”, and when it is declared an “economic recession”, as well as withdrawal limits.

The disbursements from the Fund shall comply with the 

Growth Rate for                           Disbursement List

Real GDP

        1.1% - 2.0%                    -1.0% of nominal GDP

        0.0% - 1.0%                    -1.5% of Nominal GDP

      Negative Growth             -2.0% of Nominal GDP

Disbursement limits are maximum limits, and the request for disbursement shall provide justification for the disbursement limit requested. It shall remain in effect for a maximum period of three consecutive years, as long as conclusive proof exists indicating that the real GDP growth rate remains below 2% motivating the disbursement.

Withdrawals from the FAP used to finance such disbursement shall comply with the limit established in the Law, Article 5.

Funding

The Law, Article 3– explains the rules of funding. This article describes the sources of funding of the FAP, which are: 1) the 50% of the contributions from the Panama Canal Authority ("ACP") under the following conditions: a) for the years 2018 and 2019, when all contributions of the ACP to the National Treasury exceed the 2.5% of the Gross Domestic Product ("GDP") Nominal, and b) for the year 2020 onwards, when all contribution of the ACP to the National Treasury exceeds 2.25% of GDP.; 2) any inheritance, legacy and donation that are made to the FAP; 3) any resources that by Law are destined to go to the FAP.

Law 51 of October 10, 2018 now allows for the capitalization (reinvestment) of returns until the Fund’s net assets exceed 5% of the nominal GDP of the previous year.

Withdrawal.

The Law, Article 5 – describes the withdrawal rules. FAP’s resources will be used only for transfers to the Panamanian National Treasury, under the conditions established in Article 11 of Law 34 of 2008 and the rules in this article. Withdrawals will be associated only in the following scenarios:

State of Emergency declared by the Panamanian Cabinet Council, if the associated costs are equal or greater than 0.5% of GDP;

Economic recession. This rule became effective in 2015.

*Withdrawals from the FAP mentioned in the last two points, will be conditioned that the assets of the FAP will not be less

than 2.0% of nominal GDP of the previous year.

FAP reports, including performance of portfolios and assets, are published on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis.

Monthly, quarterly and yearly reports are published and available to the public.

FAP reports and financial statements can be accessed through the webpage.

The Law, Article 1 provides the objective and creation of the Fund.

The Law, Article 11, explains the composition of the Board of Directors. The Executive body will select and name the members of the Board of Directors of the FAP. The selection of the members of the Board of Directors will be subject to the ratification of the National Assembly of Panama.

The board of directors of the FAP is integrate by seven (7) members. Each member is designated by the President for a period of seven (7) years.  In addition, the designation of each member has to be ratified by the National Assembly.  The Board of Directors elect from its members a president, who will act as its coordinator, and a vice president who will act as a president in the event of his absence or impediment.

The Law establishes, through its articles, the mandates of every governing body(ies) who’s role influences and involves the FAP. Also, the Executive Decree, Investment Directives, FAP’s Investment Policies and Standards (mentioned in answer 1) clearly defines the mandate of the following governing bodies, and their role:

MEF: Settlor and as representative of the Republic of nama, owner of FAP assets, will issue the investment guidelines through ministerial resolution to provide the framework within which the Board of Directors will define the investment policy for FAP resources.

Board of Directors: According to Law 38 (Art. 10) and Decree 1068 (Art. 12).  The roles of the Board od director are: Approved the annual investment plan; issued the custodian guidelines and bidding, proposed amendment to the investment guidelines; approved report evaluation report of asset managers and custodians, prepared and approved an annual report for the Settlor, the Supervisory Commission and the Economic & Finance Commission of the National Assembly, designated, remove, or modified the number of employees in the Secretariat, determine the salary of the employee in the Secretariat, evaluate and approved and approved the annual Budget of the Secretariat.

Secretariat: management and technical support to the Board of directors for the exercise of its functions, defined the regulatory framework of the FAP.

Banco Nacional de Panama is the Trustee of the Fund. The Trustee manages the assets of FAP in accordance with the terms and conditions established in FAP Contract, Law 38 of June 5, 2012, amended by Law 87 of December 4, 2012, and Decree No. 1068 of 6 September 2012 and its subsequent modifications.

Supervisory Commission: is composed of representatives of the following organizations: The Association of Certified Public Accountants of Panama; The Association of Economists of Panama; The Ecumenical Council of Panama; The National Council of Organized Workers; and The National Council of Private Enterprise.  The Supervisory Commission issued annually an Opinion Report to evaluate the Fund and its management model, corporate governance, financial results, and main strategic goals.  In the Report, the Commission assesses that the management of the Fund complied with the application of prudent economic and financial reasoning in relation to the implementation of an investment strategy that is in accordance with the objectives defined in the FAP´s Law and the guidelines established by the MEF.

The General Comptroller of the Republic of Panama: The Comptroller's Office is in charge of supervising, regulating, and controlling the movements of public funds.  The Comptroller´s Office is the internal auditor of the FAP.

The MEF is the Trustor and owner of the assets of the FAP and is responsible for issuing the Investment Directives which will be the base to establish the Investment Policies. MEF also selects and names the members of the Board of Directors;

The Governing body of the FAP is the Board of Directors which establishes the Investment Policy & Standard in accordance with the Investment Directives handed down by the MEF such policy is used by the Board as the framework for managing the assets of the Fund.

The Secretariat of the FAP is the executive body that manages and operates the Fund. With the directions from the Board of Directors, they will instruct the trustee, asset managers, and custodians and investments, payments, withdrawals, liquidation of any portfolio, and any other topic related to the management and movement of assets of the Fund. They also provide technical support to the Board of Directors regarding financial analysis, creating of investment plans, bidding Directives, and management in the selection process for asset managers, custodians, auditors, consultants, and financial intermediaries;

The Trustee of the assets of the Fund subscribe the contracts, on behalf of the Fund, with the asset managers, custodians, financial reporting, and external auditors.

Please refer to answer 1.

FAP accountability framework rest on what is established in its legal framework as follows:

The Secretariat should prepare a monthly report that is presented to the MEF. This report includes an investment review and budget execution.

The Board of Directors must present to the MEF a quarterly report. This report must be sent at least 45 days after the quarter ends.  Also, the report must be share with the National Assembly and the Comptroller Office.

Financial Statements must be audited quarterly, annually, and when the board of director require. 

The Board of directors must present the Annual Report of the FAP and its audited financial statement to the MEF at least on March 31.  This report must be published in a newspaper in the Rep. of Panamá

The Supervisory Commission issued annually an Opinion Report to evaluate the Fund and its management model, corporate governance, financial results, and main strategic goals.  In the Report, the Commission assesses that the management of the Fund complied with the application of prudent economic and financial reasoning in relation to the implementation of an investment strategy that is in accordance with the objectives defined in the FAP´s Law and the guidelines established by the MEF. This report must be presented least on June 30 of each year.

The MEF must present to the National Assembly the Annual Report, including the audited financial statements of the Fund.  This presentation must be done at least on June 30 of each year.

The Secretariat should prepare the Annual Investment Plan to be approved by the Board of Directors.  This Plan must the present to the MEF and the Trustee.

The FAP must publish its approved annual budget in its website.

FAP reports, including performance of portfolios and assets, are published on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis.

Audited financial statements are published on a quarterly basis by an international Big Four auditing firm.

Financiero — Panama Savings Fund (fondoahorropanama.com)

FAP reports, including performance of portfolios and assets, are published on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis.

FAP’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Audited financial statements are published on a quarterly basis by an international recognized auditing firm.

They can be accessed through our website:

The Agreement establishes the Internal Directives of the Board of Directors of the FAP which describes the composition, functions, and responsibilities of: The Chairman of the Board, Directors, the Trustee, MEF, and Secretariat.

In addition: Executive Decree No. 246 of Sept. 15, 2004: bylaw the Uniform Code of Ethics of Public Servants who work in the entities of the Central Government is dictated. 

Investment Policy & Standards in section 6 

Internal Directive of the Board

Decree 1068 (Art. 30 & 31)

The Law, Articles 26, 28, and 30, describes that the Secretariat of the FAP, instructed by the Board of Directors of the FAP, can select and contract asset management, custodian, and external auditing firms

The Law, Article 27, and 29 describe the requirements of the firms mentioned in the previous paragraph must comply in order to be selected and contracted by the FAP.

Asset Managers (Article 27): the firm(s) must have a credit risk rating, issued by at least two of the three international renown rating agencies (Fitch, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s) equal or greater than investment grade for the last 12 months.

Custodian (Article 29): the firm(s) must have a credit risk rating, issued by at least two of the three international renown rating agencies (Fitch, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s), equal or greater than investment grade for the last 12 months.

The Investment Policies and Standards assure that the contracted asset managers and custodians comply with all regulatory and legal frameworks in the countries in which they invest the assets of the FAP.

According to the National Law of Trustee, the Trustee has the responsibilities monitoring and review monthly the activities and operation in host countries conducted in compliance with all applicable regulatory and disclosure requirements of the countries in which they operate. The trustee activities are regulated by National Banking Commission.

According to the Internal Directives of The Board:

In the exercise of its functions, the Board of Directors will act with full independence from the MEF, in accordance with the best international practices for the management and administration of FAP assets.  

The Law and the Executive Decree, the investment decisions made by the Board of Directors will be based solely and strictly on economic and financial considerations, with a long-term profile, risk aversion and consistent with the best sovereign wealth fund management practices.

The Board of Directors of the FAP will manage directly, at the expense and risk of the MEF and with absolute independence, the resources of the FAP, with the power to decide on their investment, disposal and other activities that correspond to the fulfillment of this function and subject to the objectives, guidelines and restrictions established in the Law No. 38, the Executive Decree 1068 and the Investment Guidelines.

Audited financial statements are published on a quarterly and annual basis by a recognized international auditing firm.

They can be accessed through our website:

The FAP’s Investment Policies and Standards established by the Board of Directors, describes the principles, parameters, and Directives for the administration and management of the Fund, which at the same time, regulates the strategies in strict compliance of the Trustee, the custodian and the asset manager.

The Investment Policies and Standards are the base to prepare the Annual Investment Plan, which defines the strategy asset allocation according to the parameters and Directives of these politics.

The investments to be made should help keep a balanced risk/return profile of the Fund, in order to preserve the assets of the Fund.

The Investment Policies and Standards, Section 6, describe the ethical principles, which established the levels of professionalism to preserve the integrity of the Fund.

Investment Policies and Standards, Section 8, establishes the framework of management and ethics which align with international best practice

Executive Decree No. 1068, Chapter VII, Article 31, explains the responsibilities of public servants. Public servants, directors, and any other personnel that has in their responsibility the decision, authorization, execution of any matter regulated by the Law and this Executive Decree, should be accountable for the decisions taken, or executed actions and results obtained.

According to Executive Decree246, Article 18 - The public servant must keep confidentiality regarding facts or information of which he becomes aware by reason or on the occasion of the exercise of his functions, without prejudice to the duties and responsibilities that correspond to him under the rules that regulate secrecy or confidentiality. administrative.

In addition, in Law No. 38 (Art. 8). the FAP can not invest in companies in which the members of the board of directors, Supervisory Commission, personnel of the Secretariat, board of director/general manager of the National Bank of Panama (BNP), the president/vice president of the Rep. of Panamá, ministers or its family own the 10% or more of shares.

In Law No. 38 (Art. 13) The members of the Board of Directors will have the obligation to keep strict confidentiality and not use for their own benefit or that of others the information to which they will have access by reason of their participation in the Board of Directors, as well as to maintain confidentiality regarding the negotiations, operations, acts or contracts made

The Law, Article 21, states that the MEF, acting as Trustor, and as representative of the Republic of Panama owner of the assets of the FAP, will issue the investment Directives in which the Board of Directors will establish the Investment Policies and ensure that the Board of Directors is governed by the investment parameters of the FAP.

Investment Policies and Standards, Section 19, states the proxy voting services. In case that, during the management of the assets of the FAP, the asset managers will have the duty to exercise proxy voting rights in representation of the FAP, it will do so considering the bests interests of the Fund. For these matters, the asset managers will exercise such proxy voting rights based in guides and principles established by the entity that provides these services, including the principles and guides of the asset manager itself.

Ministerial Resolution, Article 3.1, explains and describes the investment portfolios and its benchmarks. The asset classes that the FAP can invest in and to which benchmarks are linked to.

Investment Policies and Standards, Section 11.1, explains that the average return and performance of the investments of the Fund can be measured applying different standard methodologies. These can be:

Time-weighted rate of return; or Value-weighted mean rate of return.

The performance of the asset classes should be measured in comparison with their benchmark.

The FAP expects to review the implementation process of the GAPP on a yearly basis.