Coverage of Panama’s corporate world, markets, startups, and trade developments. We provide news, analysis, and practical insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
ECLAC says Panama must update its investment strategy by focusing less on low costs and more on productivity, innovation, and talent. The regional body points to logistics strengths, but also gaps in education and research.
Panama is short on scientists and specialists in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, health and climate-related fields critical to future growth. Authorities say closing the gap will require stronger training, more scholarships and closer links between universities and business.
Copa Airlines has agreed to buy up to 60 Boeing 737 MAX jets in a deal valued at around $13.5 billion at list prices. The purchase strengthens Panama’s role as a regional aviation hub.
Panama Canal fees are climbing as oil cargoes shift away from the Middle East and increase demand for the route. The change underscores the canal’s central role in global energy shipping and Panama’s economy.
Copa Airlines will add up to 60 Boeing 737 Max jets over the next eight years in a $13 billion deal. The purchase reinforces Panama’s role as a major aviation hub in the Americas.
Copa Airlines will add up to 60 Boeing 737 Max jets over eight years in a major fleet expansion with Boeing. The deal strengthens Panama’s role as a regional aviation hub.
Shipping firms are paying up to $4 million to move vessels through the Panama Canal as they avoid risks tied to the Strait of Hormuz. The surge underscores the Canal’s role as a safer alternate route during global shipping disruptions.
Panama Canal fees are climbing as Middle East tensions push more oil tankers to reroute through the waterway. The surge highlights the canal’s central role in global energy shipping and Panama’s exposure to international trade shifts.
Panama’s Finance Ministry refused to disclose details about the State’s forfeited Epasa shares, citing restricted access rules. The dispute centers on who represents the State’s stake in the company after the final New Business ruling.
Panama is projected to grow 4% in 2026, placing it among Central America’s strongest economies, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. The forecast comes as the region faces slower growth, higher inflation and tougher global conditions.
Cobre Panamá is using the Feria Internacional de Azuero 2026 to showcase mining technology, including a trolley system and an AI avatar. The exhibit aims to make modern mining and sustainability easier for the public to understand.
Panama City has opened Puerta Azul in Casco Antiguo, a new parking space connected to the Parkea PTY app and monitored 24 hours a day. The project aims to improve order and mobility in one of the capital’s busiest historic areas.
Panama recorded 84,067 new work contracts in the first quarter of 2026, up 16,923 from the same period last year. The increase was described as a sign of gradual labor market improvement.
The Panama Canal is seeing rising demand, underscoring its continuing role as a critical route for global shipping and a major driver of Panama’s economy.
The Panama Canal handled 6,288 transits in the first half of fiscal 2026, a 5% rise as Middle East disruptions boost its appeal. A $4 million slot fee also reflects strong demand for access.
Panama’s proposed bioethanol bill is facing scrutiny after questions arose over Minister Felipe Chapman’s family ties to a company linked to the project. The issue has put conflict-of-interest rules and the government’s energy agenda in the spotlight.
Panama urged the UN Security Council to protect free navigation as Strait of Hormuz tensions disrupt shipping and threaten global trade. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Hoyos also raised concern over detentions of Panamanian-flagged vessels.
Panama’s port sector is feeling pressure as prolonged tensions around the Strait of Hormuz keep global shipping and energy markets unstable. The country’s role as a maritime hub makes it vulnerable to higher fuel costs, shifting cargo routes and broader trade uncertainty.
Panama City is targeting Canadian event planners as part of a wider push to grow business travel and attract more international meetings and incentives. The strategy highlights Panama’s effort to strengthen its role as a regional hub for corporate events.
The Puente de las Américas completed controlled load tests with satisfactory results after a tanker explosion prompted fresh inspections. Authorities will now analyze the data to define the bridge’s long-term maintenance plan.