Coverage of national economic trends, policy decisions, and indicators that affect everyday life. We provide analysis of fiscal policy, employment, and growth drivers.
Unachi faced tough questioning in the National Assembly after revealing a $72 million budget, a $12.4 million CSS debt and unresolved administrative cases. Lawmakers also pressed the university on nepotism complaints and compliance with transparency rulings.
Cobre Panamá has hired more than 1,300 workers as it advances a new phase of its preservation and safe management plan. The company projects 1,000 more direct jobs and thousands of indirect positions tied to local suppliers.
Transit costs through the Panama Canal have climbed as Middle East tensions and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global shipping. The change highlights how conflict in one region can raise costs for Panama’s key maritime corridor.
The Panama Canal Authority rejected the idea that a $4 million line-jumping payment was extraordinary, saying it reflected a rate set by the canal. The clarification comes as pricing and priority access at the waterway draw fresh attention.
A new debate over Panama’s concession contracts centers on whether the State should be paid from gross revenue instead of disputed profit calculations. The issue is gaining attention as contracts come up for renewal.
Rising tension in the Strait of Hormuz is pushing up shipping costs that can affect traffic through the Panama Canal. The pressure highlights how global security shocks can influence Panama’s economy even from afar.
Panamanians are facing higher living costs as food prices rise from a mix of fuel, climate, pest, and agrochemical pressures. The strain begins in agricultural production and ends with more expensive goods for consumers.
A businessman’s open letter urges President José Raúl Mulino to prioritize water service and garbage collection over Panama’s planned railway. He argues basic utilities should come before a costly transport megaproject.
Panama has launched a new phase of cooperation with the OECD focused on tax reform, global standards and stronger public policy. The effort centers on modernizing the fiscal system while balancing competitiveness and international compliance.
Panama’s retiree bonus law is drawing criticism because only people on Social Security payrolls through June 2024 qualify. The debate has renewed concern about whether older adults are receiving the discounts and protections guaranteed by law.
Panama is facing higher fuel costs tied to global conflict even as the canal gains strategic importance. The moment could strengthen the country’s standing if it uses it to build a more durable economic vision.
Panama’s cabinet has approved the import of 90,000 quintals of coffee to relieve a domestic shortage. The move is intended to stabilize supply for consumers and businesses.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are lifting shipping costs and adding pressure on the Panama Canal, as carriers adjust routes and trade flows shift. The canal’s role as a global chokepoint makes it vulnerable to disruptions far beyond Panama’s borders.
Panama has approved the importation of 90,000 quintals of green coffee to address a domestic shortage, with a 3% tariff and a deadline of September 30, 2026. Officials say the measure is meant to ease supply pressure without harming local production.
Panama is grappling with the economic and labor-market damage left by the 2023 closure of First Quantum’s Cobre Panama mine. The shutdown has weighed on growth, jobs, and broader business activity.
Panama is confronting the economic fallout from the 2023 shutdown of First Quantum Minerals’ Cobre Panamá mine, with growth and jobs taking a hit. The closure has rippled through suppliers, workers and local businesses tied to one of the country’s biggest private projects.
Panama’s economic debate is centering on whether the country should prioritize costly mega-projects or invest first in jobs, water security, and strategic infrastructure. The discussion highlights pressure on public finances, the Canal, ports, and investment policy.
Panama will pay nearly $15 million to settle a dispute tied to the new ION project, after the consortium sought more than B/.70 million in arbitration. The case highlights the financial risks of major public contract disagreements.
Panama’s logistics sector remains a strategic advantage, but rising global competition is forcing major hubs to modernize. The country’s future strength will depend on efficiency, technology and better internal connectivity.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are pushing up shipping costs, and the pressure is reaching the Panama Canal. The canal’s traffic and revenues can be affected when global carriers face higher risk and insurance expenses.