Coverage of national economic trends, policy decisions, and indicators that affect everyday life. We provide analysis of fiscal policy, employment, and growth drivers.
Rising oil and an escalating US-Israel war with Iran have pushed markets toward expecting tighter monetary policy, with traders no longer forecasting Fed rate cuts this year after Powell’s warnings.
Panama’s new-car registrations rose to 60,233 in 2025, driven by SUVs, expanded financing and greater market share for Chinese brands; ADAP projects ~63,000 sales in 2026 while flagging regulatory and infrastructure challenges.
Panama’s National Assembly is advancing bills to create several new corregimientos, including Punta Alegre in Darién, prompting concerns about fiscal costs, electoral impacts and lack of technical planning.
The Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) will make the first 2026 permanent bonus payment to eligible retirees in the second half of April: $50 in April, followed by $50 in August and $40 in December.
ENSA will carry out preventive electrical maintenance across Panama from March 23–28, potentially causing temporary outages; customers should check the company’s interruption page and enter their NAC.
Fundación Sus Buenos Vecinos is expanding merit-based scholarships to help Panamanian students recover from pandemic-era learning losses that affected over 800,000 pupils and risk long-term income declines.
An opinion piece in La Prensa argues Panama has world-class logistics and financial assets but lacks sustained commercial training and service culture, limiting broader economic gains.
Asia Sentinel reports a dispute between a firm linked to Li Ka-shing and Panama over canal-linked ports. The disagreement could affect investment and operations pending further details.
Cuba’s extensive blackouts highlight the risks of heavy thermal dependence. Panama can strengthen energy security by expanding hydropower, integrating renewables, and diversifying its matrix.
K11 Musea in Tsim Sha Tsui is bringing in more than 60 mostly luxury brands as operators expect double-digit rent increases, betting on affluent tourists amid warnings of wider economic headwinds.
Hong Kong stocks slumped as the Strait of Hormuz crisis deepened, with the Hang Seng down 2.6% and miners hit amid falling bullion prices, dragging Asian markets lower.
High demand is keeping seafood prices steady at the Mercado de Mariscos despite higher fuel costs; merchants warn prices may rise in the coming days.
Malaysia’s monthly fuel subsidy bill jumped from 700 million to 3.2 billion ringgit after oil prices spiked amid the US-Israel war on Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
The expiry of Decameron’s fiscal benefits spotlights Panama’s broader problem: incentives are frequently granted but not systematically reviewed. Critics call for stronger measurement and uniform enforcement across sectors.
A La Prensa commentary warns that Panama’s waste system—estimated at about 5,000 tonnes daily—is straining landfills and contaminating ecosystems, and urges recycling, clean technologies and citizen education to transform waste into jobs and resources.
Prices for oranges, lemons and bananas in Panama have risen amid the dry season and higher fuel costs, pressuring household budgets and market sellers.
Merchants in La Chorrera tell TVN that melon prices rose from $0.25 to $0.35–$0.40 per pound, and sacks of oranges climbed from at least $12 to $18–$20, tightening household budgets.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will chair an emergency meeting with Finance Minister Rachel Reeves and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey to examine economic risks from the Iran war as markets brace for disruption.
MiBus announced route and timetable changes effective March 23 as rising fuel costs create an estimated $250,000 weekly operating overcost. Riders should watch for detailed schedule releases.
Hong Kong’s property rebound faces headwinds as a potential pause in interest rate cuts and geopolitical tensions delay buyers; one‑month Hibor has only fallen to 2.02% this year.