Coverage of national economic trends, policy decisions, and indicators that affect everyday life. We provide analysis of fiscal policy, employment, and growth drivers.
ENSA has scheduled preventive maintenance on its electrical network from April 20 to 25, with temporary interruptions in selected Panama sectors. Customers can check affected areas by entering their NAC on the company’s scheduled outages page.
Panama is turning its celebrated coffee into a tourism attraction, with farm tours and tasting experiences drawing visitors. The approach blends agriculture, culture, and travel in one of the country’s most distinctive offerings.
Panama’s housing shortage is doing more than shutting families out of homeownership; it is also slowing construction, jobs and economic growth. The pressure is especially strong for lower- and middle-income households and in the country’s interior provinces.
Panama’s push to project itself as a modern hub continues to clash with slow, paper-based bureaucracy in parts of the state. Some institutions have advanced digitally, but others still resist deeper change.
Panama’s Gesha coffee is drawing attention from travelers who want to tour farms, meet producers, and taste some of the world’s most prized beans. The country’s specialty coffee industry is becoming both a cultural and tourism attraction.
Panama’s geographic position and open economy could give it a stronger role in global trade and energy as uncertainty rises. The key, according to this view, is preserving legal certainty and market openness.
Panama City is facing renewed criticism over weak enforcement of urban rules, especially sidewalk obligations, as residents see basic needs ignored in favor of major projects. The debate centers on whether the capital should fix what already exists before pursuing costly new works.
The IMA has set Agroferia sales points for April 20 and 21 in several provinces and the Ngäbe Buglé comarca. Sales begin at 8:00 a.m., and buyers must show their ID card.
Prices at Panama City’s San Felipe Neri Market are moving unevenly, with tomatoes, peppers and cilantro getting more expensive while onions and cucumbers offer cheaper options. The shifts are affecting daily shopping choices for local households.
Panama’s possible copper mine reopening is shaping up as a defining economic and political test for the government. Supporters argue it could restore jobs, revenue and investor confidence if a stronger contract and tighter environmental controls are secured.
Taxi drivers in Panama say the fuel subsidy is saving them up to B/.10.00 and easing daily operating costs. They are urging the government to keep the measure in place as long as needed.
Panama’s National Assembly is weighing a bill that would remove ITBMS from menstrual products, framing it as an issue of economic justice. The debate now centers on whether the tax relief should be financed through higher levies on tobacco and nicotine or through a more targeted fiscal design.
Panama’s Ministry of Economy and Finance has set April 27 as the start date for second-half salary payments to public sector workers. The schedule affects government employees nationwide and marks an important monthly payroll deadline.
Coclé’s soapstone festival added sculpture contests this year, putting local artisans to the test and highlighting the area’s craft tradition. The event also underscored the link between culture and economic activity in the province.
Panama’s Social Security Fund said prosecutors recovered more than $2.4 million after an investigation into altered data. The agency also said it has filed more than 1,000 complaints as part of a wider internal cleanup effort.
More than 30,000 people attended the Pineapple Fair in La Chorrera, where tours, food, and pineapple-based products boosted local commerce. The event highlighted both community celebration and support for entrepreneurs and producers.
Oil prices jumped after renewed tension in the Strait of Hormuz disrupted tanker traffic, reviving fears of a broader energy supply shock. The surge could add pressure to fuel costs and inflation worldwide.
Panama’s ports are drawing renewed attention as strategic assets in a broader regional power struggle over trade, investment, and influence. The issue underscores the country’s central role in global logistics and the Panama Canal economy.
IMA has called Chiriquí farm groups to David for a meeting on bean purchases at the MIDA offices. The discussion could affect local producers and Panama’s food supply chain.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says close economic ties with the United States have turned into a vulnerability, not just an asset. He is urging Canada to broaden its trade relationships as global economic and political uncertainty rises.