Coverage of national economic trends, policy decisions, and indicators that affect everyday life. We provide analysis of fiscal policy, employment, and growth drivers.
More than 100 young people met in Panama City for a national forum on AI, leadership and sustainability, with a strong focus on indigenous participation. Organizers said the goal was to give youth a direct role in shaping the country’s digital future.
U.S. Army divers and Panama Canal Authority divers held joint underwater training focused on operational readiness and safety around the canal. The exercise highlights the canal’s strategic importance and the technical cooperation that supports its upkeep.
Trump said a deal with Iran, including keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, is largely negotiated after talks with Israel and regional allies. The comments could matter for global energy and shipping costs.
Mango grew from a Barcelona market stall into a global fashion giant under Isak Andic, but the family now faces a succession crisis after his death. The company remains strong commercially even as legal and inheritance disputes intensify.
Iran and the United States said their Pakistan-mediated talks have made progress, but major differences remain over the nuclear issue and maritime access. The next few days may determine whether the negotiations produce a deal or renewed tensions.
A new Konzerta survey finds 93% of workers in Panama say their salary is not enough to cover basic needs. Most respondents also report debt, weak purchasing power, and little room to save.
Marathon Asset Management has cut its Copa Holdings stake, but Panama’s role as a hemispheric air hub still anchors the airline’s business model. The move highlights investor sentiment, not a change in Panama’s strategic advantage.
Lucy Molinar questioned Panama’s 7% GDP education funding rule, saying it does not reflect real state cash flow. She also outlined tighter spending controls and construction reforms inside Meduca.
Panama is scrapping its 5.5% tax on casino and betting winnings to make the country more attractive to foreign tourists and help revive a weakening tourism sector. Officials are pairing the tax relief with tighter oversight of gambling operators.
Panama is adding more formal private-sector jobs in 2026, but unemployment remains near 10.4%, highlighting a gap between hiring volume and job quality. Economists say the challenge now is turning contract growth into stable employment.
A nearly $3 million Senan helicopter overhaul is under scrutiny after lawmakers questioned whether the price is far above comparable certified repairs. The dispute also centers on why the contract was processed under an emergency-based exception.
Panama’s economic substance bill advanced after first debate with stronger tax and proportionality rules. Lawmakers still need to fine-tune language on outsourced services before the final vote.
Azuero’s prolonged water shortage has become a symbol of Panama’s infrastructure failures, with costly tanker trucks still filling the gap. The crisis also underscores how weak public services in the interior affect health, education, and local development.
Panama’s mining chamber has installed a new board that will push sustainable mining while keeping the debate over a possible sector reactivation alive. The move comes as mining remains one of the country’s most sensitive economic and environmental issues.
Ilya Espino de Marotta is set to make history as the first woman to lead the Panama Canal, but her real challenge will be water security and competitiveness. Her long technical career gives her strong credentials for a role central to Panama’s economy.
Panama’s business and industrial groups backed the government’s hard line in the trade dispute with Costa Rica, but urged a technical, diplomatic solution. They warned the clash could harm investment, competitiveness and regional integration.
SpaceX successfully launched Starship V3 from Texas after a scrubbed attempt, marking a major test for its reusable rocket program. The flight is closely watched because NASA needs a future Starship version for Artemis lunar missions.
ATTT kept the $1.25 fare in Pajonal areas and set nearby sectors at different rates, ending a transport dispute in Penonomé. The decision affects daily travel costs in Coclé communities that depend on bus routes.
Stalled talks with Iran and continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have renewed debate in Washington over whether the U.S. needs a new strategy. The outcome could affect global energy markets and shipping costs far beyond the Middle East.
Tecnolac is investing $36 million in a modern dairy complex in Coclé aimed at raising local milk output and helping narrow Panama’s production gap. President José Raúl Mulino toured the site as the company prepared to begin operations in the coming months.