Coverage of Panama’s corporate world, markets, startups, and trade developments. We provide news, analysis, and practical insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Panama’s president sanctioned Law 513 establishing paid internships with a $450 monthly subsidy for 18–25-year-olds, limits on placements, a one-year internship cap and fines for misuse.
Automarket is participating for the first time in Feria Internacional de David (March 12–22, 2026), presenting its full mobility ecosystem—seminuevos, leasing, rent-a-car, certified workshops—and offering on-site financing and fair promotions for Chiriquí buyers.
QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi said he warned U.S. and industry officials of the “consequences” of attacking Iranian energy infrastructure, highlighting risks to global supply and market stability.
Panama and Costa Rica signed a rail agreement aimed at advancing a regional rail link, signaling bilateral interest in closer transport cooperation. Details on route, funding and timeline have not yet been disclosed.
EIN Presswire reports Panama has rejected Hutchison’s assertion that the government missed a deadline in a ports-related arbitration, leaving the dispute to proceed through legal channels.
A fire at a South Korean auto parts factory injured at least 55 people, officials said March 20; authorities could not immediately confirm whether any injuries were life-threatening.
Bill 403 advanced to a third debate in Panama, proposing biometric controls in casinos and funding for gambling addiction treatment to address ludopatía.
Panama and the Panama Banking Association have agreed new debt-collection regulations intended to reduce the number of calls to debtors and strengthen their protections, according to EIN Presswire.
Journal of Commerce reports Cosco has halted calls to Balboa, marking a new development in an ongoing Panama port dispute with potential implications for shipping and Canal-linked trade.
Merchants at Merca Panamá say recent gasoline price increases are raising transport costs and could soon push food prices higher, Telemetro reports.
The Panama Canal Authority said it will allow uninterrupted ship passage during a planned maintenance period from March through September, aiming to prevent transit disruptions.
Bill No. 306, approved March 19, sets hours and limits for debt-collection contact, bans workplace visits and strengthens privacy and transparency protections for Panamanian debtors.
Mayor Mayer Mizrachi met with a senior U.S. State Department official to present a smart cities project. Details remain limited; observers will watch for follow-up on technical cooperation, funding and pilot plans.
CMA CGM has added a Cork port call to its PANAMA DIRECT service, expanding direct shipping links between Europe and Panama and offering more routing options for shippers.
Reuters reports the Panama Canal will allow uninterrupted ship transits during planned maintenance from March through September, aiming to keep shipping schedules steady despite work.
The Panama Canal will allow uninterrupted ship passage during planned maintenance from March through September, a move aimed at minimizing disruption to shipping and trade.
An ongoing conflict involving Iran is disrupting shipping, manufacturing and agricultural inputs, raising concern that global food supplies and prices could be hit, with knock-on effects for Panama and Latin America.
Panama Canal Authority chief Ricaurte Vásquez said the canal is operating at top capacity with 36–38 daily transits, and that the Iran conflict has boosted LNG vessel traffic through the waterway.
Reuters reports the Panama Canal is at top capacity with 36–38 daily transits as the Iran war lifts LNG vessel traffic, pressuring scheduling and trade flows.
Panamanian authorities have rejected claims by a unit of CK Hutchison that they ignored an arbitration process, after the company filed an administrative petition urging reconsideration of an executive decision.