Coverage of Panama’s corporate world, markets, startups, and trade developments. We provide news, analysis, and practical insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Banana workers in Panama’s Bocas del Toro have reportedly regained their jobs after a union crisis disrupted employment. The article describes the hardships workers faced and notes related commitments tied to the banana industry in Panama.
Panama is being presented as a growing draw for European tourists, with Panama City and the Panama Canal named as the top attractions. The release suggests improved access and wider traveler interest are supporting the trend.
European arrivals to Panama grew by 40% in 2025 versus 2024, with more travelers choosing Panama as their final destination. Air Europa’s daily Madrid–Panama City service continues to reflect and support the shift in demand.
PBS reports that soaring gas prices are spreading through the economy, with supply chain disruptions and slowed oil production driving up costs. Consumers may also face prolonged shortages for a range of goods, including food.
Alibaba plans to launch agentic AI “digital workforce” services for millions of merchants on Taobao and Tmall by end of March, built on its Business Advisor tool. The move signals accelerating competition to embed AI automation into everyday e-commerce operations.
Banana workers in Bocas del Toro say they are slowly returning to work as Chiquita restarts operations after a 2025 union crisis and the company’s temporary shutdown. About 2,300 workers have returned, with activity increasing from farm cleaning to packing and early production tests.
Singapore PM Lawrence Wong concluded his first official Hong Kong visit since becoming prime minister in 2024, meeting senior political figures and major business leaders. He said closer cooperation between the two financial hubs could bring mutual benefits.
Henderson Land Development’s Chester project in Hung Hom sold out all 123 units within hours, as Hong Kong buyers showed confidence despite Middle East-related global risks and expectations of slower interest rate cuts.
Hong Kong has started construction on a major data centre in Northern Metropolis, covering more than 110,000 square metres. Officials say the project will expand computing capacity and help drive the AI push.
Ningxia wine drew international attention after Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron shared a bottle from Xige Estate in 2023. With Chinese wines rising since the 2010s, Ningxia now faces the bigger challenge: building durable global competitiveness with France.
China has detained Panama-flagged ships as a dispute over port control escalates. The situation raises concerns for the operations of Panama’s merchant fleet and the diplomatic/legal fallout that may follow.
PBS featured author Noel Maurer discussing the history behind the Panama Canal and its lasting impact on trade, politics, and Panama’s national identity.
Chinese researchers say a hydrofluorocarbon-based electrolyte can more than double lithium battery energy density at room temperature and enable efficient operation at minus 70°C. The advance could help EVs maintain better range in extreme cold.
Panamá enfrenta un rechazo generalizado a un anteproyecto que busca elevar a $10 la tasa a pasajeros en tránsito en aeropuertos como Tocumen. Autoridades turísticas y del sector aéreo advierten que podría encarecer el destino, reducir la conectividad y afectar la recuperación del turismo.
Jonathan Vega y Ernesto Cedeño protagonizaron un acalorado cruce en la Asamblea por el proyecto que obligaría a que la gasolina comercializada en Panamá contenga 10% de bioetanol. El debate giró en torno al proceso de aprobación, posibles impactos en costos y la realización de foros previos.
El presidente de la Comisión de Comercio y Asuntos Económicos, Ernesto Cedeño, advierte que el proyecto de ley 443 sobre bioetanol anhidro tiene vacíos normativos y riesgos legales. La norma fue aprobada en primer debate con 5 votos a favor y 4 en contra, mientras la Secretaría Nacional de Energía suspendió previamente su obligatoriedad por falta de condiciones.
China’s property slump is forcing foreign suppliers to rethink strategies as new construction slows. Otis and others are shifting toward government-led urban renewal, focusing on lift installations and upgrades in older apartment buildings.
A Hong Kong photographer says professional SD cards and 16TB hard drives have surged in price—SD cards up to HK$3,000 each and 16TB HDDs from HK$1,880 to HK$3,880—transforming storage into a costly necessity.
HKIC CEO Clara Chan Ka-chai says opportunities in cutting-edge technologies are increasingly concentrated in mainland China and Hong Kong. Speaking at the Boao Forum for Asia, she said the Hong Kong government’s investment arm wants to attract capital and expand funding participation.
The U.S. accuses China of detaining Panama-flagged vessels after a canal port court ruling, saying it disrupts global shipping. Panama’s Prosecutor’s Office later raided facilities to help ensure regular operations at the Panama Canal during a transition.