Coverage of national economic trends, policy decisions, and indicators that affect everyday life. We provide analysis of fiscal policy, employment, and growth drivers.
Panama’s tax authority has kept its main Balboa headquarters closed during safety inspections, while taxpayers continue using e-Tax 2.0 for filings and payments. The digital platform remains available 24 hours a day.
Panama’s MIDES has scheduled the second 2026 payment cycle for June 1-12, covering Red de Oportunidades, 120 a los 65 and other programs. The timeline gives beneficiaries a clear window for receiving social assistance funds.
Uber and inDrive reacted to Panama’s new decree regulating app-based transport and converting it into luxury taxis. President José Raúl Mulino said he will meet with authorities to review concerns over the measure.
Panama’s new rules for app-based “luxury taxis” triggered strong backlash online, with critics questioning enforcement, costs, and the role of intermediaries. A smaller group backed the decree as a step toward order and tax compliance.
Panama’s transport authority will require luxury ride platforms to register formally under a new decree. The move is designed to bring app-based premium transport services into a clearer regulatory framework.
Panama’s CADE 2026 will run from April 22 to 24 and put the country’s possible closer alignment with the OECD in focus. The business gathering is expected to frame a broader debate over Panama’s economic direction and global standing.
Iranian forces fired on a tanker and struck a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over global shipping and energy security. The episode could reverberate through fuel prices and trade routes that matter to Panama and Latin America.
Trump’s claim that Iran made concessions was quickly rejected in Tehran, while the IRGC said the Strait of Hormuz is once again restricted. The move raises fresh concern over global energy security and shipping routes.
Tensions over Iran and the Strait of Hormuz are putting pressure on Washington, with one analyst saying the US may need to end its blockade for the key waterway to fully reopen. The standoff carries global energy and shipping risks that could reach Panama through higher transport and fuel costs.
Oil and LNG tankers are flooding the Panama Canal as Middle East tensions push more energy shipments from the U.S. Gulf Coast toward Asia. The surge has lifted daily transits above earlier projections and raised congestion at the strategic waterway.
Panama has regained authorization to export yellowfin tuna to the United States, reopening access to a major seafood market after 26 years. The move could boost exports, fishing communities, and investment in sustainable fisheries.
Panama opened Capac Expo Vivienda 2026 in Amador with more than 300 housing projects on display. Senior officials highlighted the fair’s role in supporting construction, jobs, and family housing.
A 23-acre farm in Penonomé, Coclé, is listed at $239,000 after a price cut, with river frontage, springs, and access to nearby roads and utilities. The property sits close to Penonomé, La Pintada, Río Hato, and Panama’s Pacific coast.
Panama Canal traffic has tightened as Middle East disruptions reroute cargoes through the waterway, driving delays of up to three and a half days. One LPG tanker paid $4 million to jump the line in a recent auction.
Brent crude fell more than 9 percent after renewed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz briefly disrupted a key global oil shipping lane. The move highlights how Middle East security risks can quickly affect fuel prices worldwide, including in Panama and Latin America.
Panama’s economic outlook is under pressure as global slowdown and Middle East tensions raise inflation and trade risks. Finance Minister Felipe Chapman says stronger resilience could help the country benefit from its strategic role.
Banistmo announced the expiration and results of its consent solicitation tied to its 4.250% senior notes due 2027. The move matters for Panama’s banking sector and the bank’s broader financing strategy.
Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz remains a powerful deterrent, giving Tehran leverage over global energy flows without relying on nuclear weapons. The chokepoint’s importance makes any escalation a concern for markets worldwide.
Panama’s premium pineapple market is drawing international demand that currently exceeds supply. The company behind the fruit says its strong taste and quality are helping drive export interest.
A new education critique says Panama has repeatedly overrelied on laptop programs without improving learning. It argues the country should invest more in schools, teachers, tutoring, and libraries.