Coverage of Panama’s corporate world, markets, startups, and trade developments. We provide news, analysis, and practical insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
A Volcancito property in Boquete is on the market for $689,000, offering four independent units, mountain views, and income potential. The renovated home includes rental-ready amenities, parking, storage, and a landscaped setting near downtown Boquete.
The Panama Canal has listed a $450 million bond issue on Latinex, allowing secondary-market trading of debt originally issued in 2015 to finance the Atlantic bridge in Colón. The move highlights both the Canal’s financing strategy and Latinex’s push to expand international listings.
Inadeh and the Panama Tourism Authority signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen tourist guide certification and expand formal job opportunities for Panamanians. The move links vocational training with tourism, one of the country’s key economic sectors.
Panamanian airlines, hotels and merchants are opposing a bill that would raise the senior discount on airfare from 25% to 35%. Lawmakers will resume debate after the Ministry of Economy and Finance weighs in.
Credit card use in Panama has climbed to more than 876,000 cards, even as delinquency and interest rates rise. The trend points to stronger reliance on revolving credit and growing pressure on household budgets.
Panama’s energy pressures are putting household budgets under strain, making savings, efficiency and careful planning more important. The focus is on reducing waste at home, managing fuel use and building financial buffers against inflation.
Panama is being positioned as a potential hub for energy buffering, with pre-positioned fuel stocks seen as a way to reduce global supply disruptions. The proposal could also bring investment and logistics activity into the country.
Vendors at Merca Panamá are reporting lower customer traffic and weaker sales as prices hold steady for some products and rise for others. The shift is putting pressure on merchants at one of Panama’s key food markets.
Public-private partnerships are being promoted as a faster way for Panama to improve water service, hospitals, schools and logistics infrastructure. The model is also seen as a tool to create jobs and strengthen investor confidence.
Credit card use in Panama is rising as households turn to borrowing for food and essential expenses, even as delinquency and interest rates move higher. Consumer credit also continues to grow across vehicle financing and personal loans.
Panama has received international support amid concerns over China’s inspections of Panamanian vessels. The dispute raises fears of wider disruptions to global trade.
Panamanian-flagged vessels are facing restrictions in a dispute linked to China’s pressure on global trade. The issue is drawing support for Panama from countries aligning with the United States.
Panama has secured support from seven countries after vessel detentions in China prompted concern over global trade stability. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said such tactics undermine confidence in the international commercial system.
Panama is gaining diplomatic support from several countries after China’s actions against Panama-flagged ships drew warnings over global trade stability and maritime law. Governments across Latin America, Europe and the Middle East said the pressure threatens freedom of navigation and the rule of law.
Rising tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran could disrupt global energy markets and shipping routes, with possible knock-on effects for the Panama Canal. Even from afar, Panama could feel the strain through fuel costs, trade shifts and changing cargo flows.
Marco Rubio has accused China of bullying over delays involving Panama-flagged ships, adding to tensions tied to maritime trade and regional influence. The dispute underscores Panama’s strategic role as a shipping hub and the continued importance of the Panama Canal.
Marco Rubio accused China of bullying in a dispute involving Panama-flagged ships, highlighting the strategic importance of the Panama Canal. The episode underscores Panama’s central role in global trade and great-power rivalry.
Credit card balances in Panama rose sharply in February as households leaned more heavily on borrowing for everyday expenses. At the same time, interest rates and delinquency levels remain elevated, increasing pressure on consumers.
The United States has accused China of detaining Panama-flagged ships, drawing Panama’s maritime registry into a wider dispute over global shipping and diplomacy. The accusation underscores Panama’s outsized role in international trade.
China’s tighter scrutiny of Panamanian-flagged ships is prompting warnings about the impact on Panama’s maritime sector and global shipping role. The dispute underscores how geopolitical tensions can affect the country’s registry and trade interests.