Coverage of national economic trends, policy decisions, and indicators that affect everyday life. We provide analysis of fiscal policy, employment, and growth drivers.
A woman was arrested in La Chorrera during Operation Falsum over an alleged loan fraud scheme that used forged employment and Social Security documents. Three other people have also been charged in the case.
Panama’s Institute of Agricultural Marketing will hold agro-fairs on April 9 and 10 in several provinces, offering low-cost food items including rice at $5. The events aim to give families more affordable access to staple products.
Maersk has rejected responsibility in the dispute over the Port of Balboa after Panama Ports Company launched international arbitration. The case adds another layer to Panama’s broader fight over port operations and investor rights.
Marco Rubio accused China of bullying Panama-flagged ships, highlighting the country’s outsized role in global shipping and geopolitics. The remarks put Panama’s flag registry back in the middle of a U.S.-China dispute.
Panama Metro added 40,000 daily passengers after MiBus changed operations in response to higher fuel prices. The system has increased trains and station staffing as demand continues to rise.
Panama’s bill 491 would provide economic support to retirees and pensioners earning less than B/.600 a month, while prohibiting the money from being used to pay loans. The proposal targets lower-income seniors as lawmakers weigh new relief measures.
Panama Ports Company says Maersk’s actions undermined its contract tied to terminals at both ends of the Panama Canal. The dispute underscores the strategic importance of Panama’s canal-linked ports to global shipping.
Panama has ended a decades-long exemption and will now charge a 2% Property Transfer Tax on new homes. The change adds a new upfront cost for first-time buyers and has prompted calls from developers for a rethink.
Theodore Roosevelt’s decision to support a canal in Panama helped reshape global trade and secure the country’s place at the center of maritime commerce. The canal remains one of the most important strategic routes in the world.
MIDA’s minister discussed rising prices and the protection of local producers during a hearing before Panama’s National Assembly Budget Committee. The remarks highlight ongoing pressure on food costs and the agricultural sector.
Teddy Roosevelt’s decision to support the Panama Canal helped reshape global trade and cement Panama’s role as a strategic maritime crossroads. More than a century later, the canal remains central to world shipping and Panama’s economy.
Panama’s exporters are under growing pressure from higher oil prices, rising freight costs, and geopolitical tensions that are pushing up trade expenses. Industry leaders say the country still has room to grow if it cuts bureaucracy and strengthens logistics.
CK Hutchison’s Panama unit has launched arbitration over a port takeover dispute tied to operations near the Panama Canal. The case highlights the strategic and political importance of port control in Panama.
Panama has approved the export of stockpiled copper ore from Cobre Panamá, allowing First Quantum to process material already extracted. The move is expected to generate more revenue for infrastructure while reducing environmental risks at the site.
Panama’s Cabinet approved two bills to join key international metrology bodies, a move aimed at improving measurement standards, trade, and competitiveness. The proposals would give the country fuller participation in global scientific and legal measurement systems.
A dispute over control of two Panama Canal ports is heading to arbitration after Panama Ports Co. challenged the government’s concession decision. The case carries major commercial and geopolitical weight for Panama’s logistics sector.
Panama has urged China to show respect as a dispute over port terminals near the canal escalates into ship detentions and arbitration. The case highlights the strategic and diplomatic importance of Panama’s logistics infrastructure.
Panama has imposed a 2% ITBI tax on newly built homes, a move that housing leaders say will make it harder for families to buy and could slow construction. The sector warns the measure may reduce sales, especially in the lower-priced market.
Survivors of Hurricanes Eta and Iota are demanding the release of the beneficiary list for housing assignments in Panama. The homes will be financed through the National Mortgage Bank rather than given away for free.
Panama has declared its OECD accession effort a national priority, activating an institutional roadmap to push the country closer to full membership. The move formalizes an ambition first announced in June 2025.