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 planned public procurement reforms promise faster and more digital contracting, but the real test is whether lawmakers will require disclosure of beneficial owners. Without that transparency, efficiency gains may do little to curb corruption risks.
The Panama Canal is regaining global attention as shipping shifts away from the Strait of Hormuz, raising its importance in international trade. The change highlights Panama’s central role in keeping cargo moving between oceans.
The Panama Canal is gaining new importance as global shipping reroutes away from disrupted passages such as the Strait of Hormuz. The shift underscores Panama’s central role in international trade.
More than 190,000 beneficiaries have registered on Panama’s MEF platform to receive Cepanim, a payment certificate tied to interest on overdue obligations. The figure signals wide participation in the government’s financial program.
The IMA has scheduled agroferias for May 4 and 5 in Coclé, Panama City, Chiriquí, Darién, Veraguas and other areas. The sales events begin at 8:00 a.m. and require a cédula and reusable bag.
Panama’s IMA is holding agricultural fairs on May 4 and 5, offering rice for $5 in several districts and communities across the country. The sales aim to give households access to a key staple at a lower price.
President José Raúl Mulino named Felipe Chapman’s brother-in-law to the SMV board, raising ethics questions under Panama’s public service rules. Chapman defended the appointment and said the focus should be on the nominee’s experience.
IMA will hold agricultural fairs in multiple provinces and regions on May 4 and 5, with sales starting at 8:00 a.m. Rice will be available for $5 at the markets.
Panama will tax international companies at 15% if they cannot show real operations in the country. The move targets firms registered in Panama but lacking substantive local activity.
Panama has taken a step closer to securing nonstop flights between Tokyo and Panama after talks involving ANA, aviation authorities, and government officials at Tocumen. The proposed route would strengthen the country’s role as a regional air hub and deepen ties with Asia.
Panama has introduced a tax reform that would require international companies to prove real operations in the country to keep favorable treatment on passive income. Businesses that fail to show economic substance could face a 15% tax.
Panama is closer to securing a direct Tokyo flight after ANA inspected Tocumen International Airport and reviewed its long-haul operational capacity. The potential route could strengthen Panama’s role as a regional aviation hub.
Panama is evaluating the possibility of a direct flight to Tokyo after a technical visit by All Nippon Airways and Boeing at Tocumen International Airport. The review centers on the viability of adding a long-haul route linking Panama and Japan.
India’s biggest airlines are cutting international flights as jet fuel costs rise and regional airspace disruption forces longer, more expensive routes. Air India and IndiGo are among the carriers most affected.
The Panama Canal has become a new flashpoint in U.S.-China tensions, highlighting Panama’s strategic role in global trade and regional diplomacy. The dispute underscores the country’s control over a waterway vital to shipping and commerce.
Panama has been pulled into a growing global fight over strategic port assets, after temporary management changes sparked retaliation and a multibillion-dollar lawsuit. The dispute highlights the country’s central role in maritime trade and geopolitical competition.
Panama is advancing a tax reform that would require multinational companies to prove real economic activity in the country or face a 15% levy on gross income. The plan is aimed at curbing tax avoidance and helping Panama meet international transparency standards.
China’s detentions of Panama-flagged vessels have triggered a joint backlash from the U.S. and five Latin American and Caribbean nations. The dispute puts Panama’s global ship registry and maritime reputation in the spotlight.
Debt has become normal in Panama, but a new reflection argues that the real problem is not borrowing itself — it is the lack of financial reasoning behind it. In that context, avoiding debt may be the true luxury.
Panama’s Supreme Court voided an addendum to a National Lottery contract with Scientific Games International, finding that officials changed the deal illegally. The ruling highlights the legal limits on modifying public contracts without a competitive process.