Best Finance Minister in the region is Panamanian

Panama's Finance minister, Frank de Lima, stands out as the best of the region, and is considered the seventh best in Latin America, according to the latest annual ranking, published by the magazine America Economia.

He is followed by Ayales Edgar of Costa Rica, who likewise is included in the "top ten".

Pavel Centeno of Guatemala, placed last of the region in 16th place, out of a total of 18 Latin American ministers.

First place in the ranking belongs to Peru's Luis Miguel Castilla, while Argentina's Minister Hernan Lorenzino placed last.

American Economia assesses the work of the ministers, based on criteria such as the ministry's institutional strength, economic stability, and the promotion of policies which encourage development.

 (figures in brackets refer to the position of the Central American countries in Latin America).

1. Panama (7)
2. Costa Rica (10)
3. Nicaragua (12)
4. El Salvador (13)
5. Honduras (15)
6. Guatemala (16)