2 minutes read Miami, Apr 29 (EFE) – An agreement between the Panamanian government and multinational payments company Mastercard aims over the next five years to digitize state payments, fight cyber fraud and expand financial inclusion in a response to problems that have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Panama is the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to join Mastercard’s Digital Country Partnership, which focuses on digital security, infrastructure, education, regulation and inclusive financial growth, according to Darren Ware, the company’s vice president for government engagement in the region. The idea behind the agreement, signed last week by Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo’s administration, is to create a digital ecosystem capable of addressing the latest technological challenges and improving public services for citizens.