Coverage of Panama’s corporate world, markets, startups, and trade developments. We provide news, analysis, and practical insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
The Panama Canal is bracing for possible water shortages as NOAA forecasts a 98% chance of El Niño. The climate shift could affect canal operations, which depend on freshwater reserves in Panama’s watershed.
Google is redesigning Search with Gemini 3.5 Flash, introducing a more conversational, multimodal interface that will roll out globally where AI Mode is available. The shift could affect how people in Panama search, shop and find information online.
Hyundai’s use of an ocean-to-ocean rail route highlights growing competition for cargo that might otherwise move through the Panama Canal. For Panama, the trend underscores why the canal must keep adapting to changing global shipping patterns.
A Spanish court has ordered the return of more than $64 million to Shakira after annulling a 2011 tax penalty tied to her residency dispute. The ruling marks another major twist in the singer’s long-running clash with Spain’s tax authorities.
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Banesco Panamá to A+ (pan) with a stable outlook, the bank’s highest national rating to date. The move reflects stronger financial performance, liquidity, and funding stability as the lender marks 19 years in Panama.
Panama’s Assembly has restarted debate on a bill to tighten tax substance rules for foreign income, as business leaders urge lawmakers to act. Apede says the reform is key to improving Panama’s reputation and reducing international risk.
A marina project on Flamenco Island near the Panama Canal is drawing scrutiny over direct concessions, public land use, and possible conflicts of interest. The case highlights broader questions about transparency in valuable coastal developments in Amador.
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Banesco Panamá to A+ (pan), the bank’s highest local rating since entering the market 19 years ago. The move reflects stronger financial performance, solid liquidity and a stable outlook.
Cocoa producers in Bocas del Toro are exploring chocolate processing as a way to earn far more than by selling dried beans alone. The move could boost rural income and strengthen Panama’s specialty food sector.
Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit centered on Ukraine, the Middle East, and energy cooperation with Xi Jinping. The meeting highlights the growing strategic alignment between Russia and China.
Jonathan Andic, son of Mango founder Isak Andic, was released on €1 million bail in Spain as investigators continue a homicide probe into his father’s 2024 death. The court also imposed a passport surrender, travel ban, and weekly check-ins.
Grupo CRS is expanding its Panama operations while reinforcing ties with U.S. business interests after a visit from Ambassador Kevin Cabrera. The move highlights the role of mobility services in tourism, jobs and investment.
Panama added 73,733 formal jobs in 2025, led by the private sector for the first time in years. The shift comes after a long cycle of state-driven employment growth financed by rising debt.
Panama City has awarded a B/. 2.56 million contract to remodel Calle Estudiante, with upgrades planned for accessibility, lighting, landscaping and urban furniture. The project is part of the municipality’s wider effort to modernize busy public spaces in the capital.
First Quantum says Panama has lost $3.5 billion since the Cobre Panamá mine was halted, highlighting the economic cost of one of the country’s biggest investment disputes. The shutdown continues to shape debate over jobs, revenue, and the future of large-scale mining in Panama.
Panama City officials are considering longer restaurant hours during the World Cup while tightening nighttime inspections. Businesses that want to benefit from the event may need to meet permit and safety requirements first.
A new ocean-to-ocean rail concept used by Hyundai is drawing attention as a possible alternative to Panama Canal shipping. For Panama, the development underscores growing competition in global logistics and the need to protect the canal’s strategic edge.
Beef prices in Panama continue to rise, squeezing household budgets as cattle numbers fall and production costs climb. Ranchers say weather shocks, fuel and labor expenses are helping keep prices high.
Flamenco has become a case study in Panama’s struggle to manage reverted waterfront land, with one stalled resort project, two active concessions and unresolved legal questions. The island’s future matters because it sits at a strategic point near the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.
Panama is preparing for a European Union fisheries audit this year as it seeks to replace its yellow card with green card status. The decision could reshape seafood exports, market access and investment in the country’s fishing sector.