Coverage of Panama’s corporate world, markets, startups, and trade developments. We provide news, analysis, and practical insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
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.
Panama received hemispheric backing amid tensions over recent actions affecting Panama-flagged vessels. The dispute underscores the country’s strategic role in global shipping and regional diplomacy.
China Merchants Group is discussing a role in a massive port purchase involving CK Hutchison, a deal that could include Panama Canal-area terminals. The talks are unfolding amid legal, regulatory, and geopolitical pressure.
The captain and crew of a Panamanian-registered tanker will receive $6 million after a rights breach tied to their pandemic detention. The case underscores Panama’s global maritime role and ongoing scrutiny of seafarer protections.
José Luis Varela said the Executive branch needed to better explain the bioethanol bill, while Alexandra Brenes linked its suspension to concerns over sugar mill board members tied to government circles. The debate has raised broader questions about transparency and public trust.
Panama is emphasizing sovereignty and respectful diplomacy as tensions grow over China’s influence in Latin America. The country’s role as host of the Panama Canal keeps it at the center of global strategic competition.
Panama’s 2026 Fiscal Lottery draws will take place in the second half of May, with provinces grouped by region. The program aims to encourage receipt collection and support tax compliance.
Frozen shrimp led Panama’s exports in the first quarter of 2026, helping push total goods exports up 0.6%. The result highlights the strength of the country’s seafood sector.
Labor Day in Panama highlighted a clear shift in how many people earn a living, with freelance work, digital platforms and entrepreneurship gaining ground. The trend points to a more flexible but changing labor market.
Panama’s OECD ambitions are being linked to a broader reform agenda focused on productivity, innovation and diversification. The push highlights informality, weak R&D and the need to modernize the state.