Category: Economy
Panama economy news: growth, prices, jobs, public finances, trade and the business decisions affecting residents, investors and expats in Panama.
FOREIGN MINISTER already making the rounds on social circuit as PANAMA passes “velvet rope
Let the “dog and pony” show begin. PANAMA makes it to the VIP Room. The foreign minister emphasized that removing the country from the list was one of the current Panamanian government’s priorities “from day one.” Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha celebrated Panama’s removal from the European Union (EU) money laundering list on Tuesday, July…
Despite robust numbers, most PANAMANIANS not feeling benefit of economic growth
https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/hacer-economia-como-si-la-gente-importara-la-cara-de-la-inequidad-en-panama-AF14229889 Panama’s economic growth is not reflected in the quality of life of most of its citizens. While macroeconomic figures are used as a political argument, social indicators show growing inequality, unemployment, and social discontent. Some time ago, I was speaking with the former president of the Colon Free Trade Zone Users Association, Usha Mayani,…
Cacao season kick starts in Bocas. Look soon for “CACAO 70
“JB”- A buddy of mine has started to cultivate his own Cacao processing out of Bocas del Toro, as Cacao demand increases worldwide. It will be distributed via “MI BELLA IMPORTS”. I wish his group the best as I am aware he is sitting on a mountain of Cacao down there in BDT. The Bocas…
New “pariah” Martinelli sounds like “sour grapes” for Mulino unshackled with new EU status
People are going “all in” and betting hard on Panama with removal from “Gray List”. And IMHO, sounds like RM is a bit “frosty” in thinking of all the money he could have made if this was the case when he was in charge. Hey “Rico”, you and your family did quite well. No alligator…
PANAMA to host important meeting about sustainable fishing operations
https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/11/the-meeting-of-the-inter-american-tropical-tuna-commission-will-be-hosted-again-by-panama/ From September 1 to 5, 2025, Panama will host the meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) for the second consecutive year. This international meeting will bring together representatives from 20 countries, more than a dozen non-governmental organizations, 250 in-person observers, and another 200 participants connected virtually, with the aim of strengthening measures for the…
Massive layoffs disrupt labor in BDT from “Chiquita” situation
https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/11/after-massive-layoffs-in-bocas-panamas-president-mulino-pushes-for-chiquitas-return/ Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino pledged on Wednesday to do everything possible to convince U.S. banana giant Chiquita Brands to resume operations in the country, after the company shut down during a strike and protests that caused it millions in losses. Chiquita ceased operations and laid off about 7,000 workers at its Changuinola plant in the…
BAC steps up to be the biggest PANAMANIAN bank on the world stage
https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/04/panama-bac-completes-the-largest-financing-transaction-in-its-history/ BAC International Bank, Inc. (BAC) successfully closed a USD 500 million international syndicated financing, making it the largest financing of its kind in the history of a Panamanian banking institution. The transaction, led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA (“JPMorgan”), and Wells Fargo, significantly exceeded the original offering, reflecting the confidence…
Where are the “GOOGLE” companies in PANAMA? Who likes working where?
Workers, recruiters, and citizens contributed their opinions to the Merco ranking update. Merco Talento Panama presented the results of the second edition of its ranking of Panamanian companies that attract talent, the majority of which are from the financial and banking sectors. https://www.laestrella.com.pa/economia/conozca-las-empresas-panamenas-donde-todos-quieren-trabajar-PC13999305 Banco General repeats for the second consecutive year as the best company to…
Additional Locks+ Additional Traffic= Additional MOOLAH. Big incease in Canal passage for 2024
A total of 25,000+ vessel transits have crossed the expanded locks of the Panama Canal in the last nine years, since the inauguration of the first ship, the Cosco Shipping Panama, on June 26, 2016. Specifically, 2,181 vessels passed through the Neopanamax locks of the Panama Canal, a canal expanded by Panama, during these past eight…
EX-PATS- 401K’s and Retirement Investors, US markets respond to Trump, but IRAN states otherwise
“JB”- Week starts with (2) POSITIVE days amid Trump statements, but IRAN states NO CEASEFIRE reached. ?!?! https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/22/stock-market-today-live-updates.html MON- UP (350 pts) https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/23/stock-market-today-live-updates.html TODAY- UP (500 pts ) https://www.laestrella.com.pa/mundo/iran-desmiente-a-trump-y-rechaza-hasta-el-momento-un-cese-de-hostilidades-con-israel-EJ13924198 Tehran clarifies that there is no agreed truce. The Iranian government makes any military pause conditional on the end of Israeli attacks against…