Category: Economy

Panama has faced repeated El Niño droughts that strain electricity, water supply and the Canal. The next one is expected to test whether the country is finally prepared.

Panama’s recurring water, power, traffic and cost-of-living problems are turning improvisation into a daily habit. The real test is whether public services can move from crisis response to stability.

IMA Agroferias will start simultaneously at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday in several regions of Panama, offering low-cost food options to households. The fairs remain a key tool for easing grocery costs and supporting local producers.

Panama hosted the World FZO congress, where global leaders called for free zones to evolve into integrated, sustainable industrial ecosystems. The event also produced a new Caribbean regional zones association and fresh focus on tourism-linked economic zones.

The ACP board could announce a new Canal administrator this Thursday after narrowing the field to three finalists. The choice will shape leadership of one of Panama’s most important institutions.

U.S. forces boarded an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman as Washington stepped up pressure over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

The United Nations warned that a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a systemic global food shock by disrupting energy and shipping markets. Panama could feel the impact through higher freight, fuel and food import costs.

Panama approved a $2 million transfer to the IMA to buy onions and Chiriquí beans from producers in Coclé, Los Santos and Chiriquí. The move is designed to support farmers and help stabilize supply of key staple foods.

Chile’s Congress has advanced José Antonio Kast’s ambitious economic overhaul, part of a governing agenda built around security, migration control and growth. The vote adds momentum to a hardline political project with regional significance.

Panama plans to tender a B/.172 million prison project for the central provinces in the coming weeks, with space for about 2,500 inmates. The contract includes 36 months of construction and five years of maintenance.

Panama municipalities are receiving long-awaited property tax funds after months of pressure on the MEF. The transfer should help finance local works, waste services and urban projects in major districts.

Panama will spend more than $6 million on tourism roads, Atlapa, Bocas del Toro trail upkeep and the Chitré Convention Center. The move underscores how transport, venues and natural attractions work together to support the country’s visitor economy.

Panama’s farmers are beginning to feel the strain of declining rainfall as authorities warn of El Niño conditions that could affect crops and food production. Producers are watching for a deeper dry spell that could pressure yields and livestock operations.

Panama’s Assembly is refining the economic substance bill, with a key change moving the tax base from gross to net income at 15%. The debate now centers on how the law will affect businesses, compliance and Panama’s competitiveness.

Education experts warned that Panama’s school system is still marked by inequality, dropout rates and a growing disconnect with the labor market. They called for stronger teacher training, technical education and earlier support for children.

Perico Island’s cruise port has become another example of Panama’s difficult balance between foreign investment, anti-corruption action, and control of strategic infrastructure. The dispute sits alongside seizures of canal ports and ongoing liquidation cases involving major public contracts.

Google unveiled a new “era of agents” at I/O 2026, introducing faster Gemini models, cloud-based assistants and AI tools for Search, Docs and YouTube. The push signals a major shift toward AI that not only answers questions but completes tasks.

A Panama transshipment group will deploy BigBear.ai’s cargo security platform, highlighting the country’s push to modernize trade screening and logistics operations. The move could improve cargo visibility in one of Central America’s key shipping hubs.

Cabinet approved more than B/.6.3 million for ATP to carry out tourism works, maintain Atlapa, and cover several sector commitments across Panama. The funds will support infrastructure, convention centers, cultural projects, and cruise-related payments.

Former prosecutor Gómez linked Panama’s political fragmentation to a deeper national choice between the canal and mining. Her remarks came as Martín Torrijos moved to launch a new political organization after breaking with his former party base.