Author: michaelm

Panama’s stock market recorded a significant 23 percent increase in transaction volume through October 2025, even as the nation’s top financial regulator announced plans to modernize its framework and establish rules for digital assets. Superintendent of the Securities Market, Maruquel Murgas, confirmed the market’s robust performance and outlined dual regulatory priorities in a recent year-end review. The moves aim to bolster Panama’s position as a regional financial hub while addressing emerging risks in the unregulated cryptocurrency space.Transaction volume handled by securities houses reached $146.66 billion between January and October 2025. New issuances during that period totaled $1.605 billion, with another…

Panama may have lost approximately 45 billion dollars to corruption since its return to democracy, a leading legislator stated this week. Deputy Roberto Zuniga of the independent Vamos bloc made the staggering claim during a January 2 interview as the new session of the National Assembly of Panama convened.Zuniga based his calculation on a widely cited international estimate. He said that roughly five percent of the state budget disappears each year due to corrupt practices. The figure covers the entire period from 1989 through the present day, highlighting a persistent national issue.”It is nearly 45 billion dollars lost to corruption…

Panama’s Minister of Commerce and Industries, Julio Molto, confirmed that Chiquita Panama LLC will restart banana exports this January. The move finalizes the reactivation of up to 5,000 jobs in the Bocas del Toro Province, stabilizing a regional economy hit hard by sectoral crisis.During a television interview, Molto stated that 3,000 jobs have already been recovered in an initial phase. The imminent export operations are set to generate an additional 2,000 positions, completing the promised employment revival. Officials report that packing plants are already wrapping fruit in preparation for shipment.”Plants are already wrapping the fruit and are ready to export.…

Panama’s banking sector demonstrated robust health at the close of November 2025, driven by strong consumer, commercial, and mortgage lending. The nation’s International Banking Center held $115.132 billion in deposits, according to the latest official data. This performance underscores a financial system prioritizing dynamic domestic demand sectors while navigating a shifting economic landscape.The monthly activity report from Panama’s banking regulator detailed a 5.9 percent annual growth in the net loan portfolio, which reached $100.579 billion. New loan disbursements from January through November 2025 totaled $24.025 billion, marking a 5.1 percent increase over the same period in 2024. External deposits surged…

Panama’s government will introduce specific legal changes demanding foreign companies prove they have real operations inside the country. Economy and Finance Minister Felipe Chapman announced the plan on January 2, 2026, framing it as a critical step to get Panama removed from the European Union’s list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. The initiative focuses on adopting international standards for economic substance without raising taxes on local businesses.Chapman clarified the proposal is not a broad tax reform. It targets multinational groups and international firms using Panamanian legal entities. These entities must now demonstrate physical offices, hired personnel, and operational expenses within national…

Panama enters 2026 with its economy growing faster than most of its neighbors, but economists warn the nation must urgently tackle deep structural challenges. The coming year’s success hinges on translating that growth into formal jobs, higher tax revenue, and sustainable public finances, all while navigating a complex global landscape. Execution of major projects, institutional transparency, and maintaining investor confidence will be decisive factors, according to multiple financial analysts. Official data from the Panama Ministry of Economy and Finance shows the nation’s total public debt stock reached $58.9046 billion as of recent reports. This figure represents a slight increase of…

Panama generated over 25 million dollars in direct investment from international film and television productions in 2025. The country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries announced the figure this week, attributing the success to 31 foreign projects that chose to film in Panama last year.Government officials now plan to aggressively expand promotional policies throughout 2026. Their goal is to establish Panama as a leading filming destination within Latin America, capitalizing on its diverse geography and modern infrastructure.Audiovisual Sector Emerges as Economic EngineCommerce and Industries Minister Julio Moltó presented the annual results, highlighting the sector audiovisual as a new driver for economic…

The Land Transit and Transport Authority (ATTT) deployed a major New Year’s Eve security and inspection operation at Panama City’s main bus terminal on Wednesday. The annual effort aims to ensure safe travel for tens of thousands of citizens heading to the country’s interior provinces for holiday celebrations.Inspectors from the agency intensified technical and administrative reviews of buses departing from the Albrook Bus Terminal. The operation focused on verifying vehicle roadworthiness and ensuring all drivers possessed proper, up-to-date documentation.Surge in Passenger Traffic Prompts Additional BusesTerminal officials reported exceptionally high passenger volume beginning Monday night. More than 54,000 travelers had already…

Panama’s National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) has launched a major national safety operation for the 2026 dry season. The agency deployed more than 456 response units across 35 strategic points nationwide this week to protect tourists and residents in high-traffic recreational areas.Operacion Guardianes 2026, Phase 1, focuses on beaches, rivers, resorts, and mountain trails where visitor numbers surge during the seasonal break. Officials confirmed sixteen tourist trails and nineteen aquatic recreation sites now have permanent monitoring teams in place. The operation aims to prevent accidents and provide rapid emergency response throughout the holiday period and coming months.”This operation sends a…

A Panama court has overturned the prison sentence for Mario Martinelli in a major corruption case. The ruling also declared a significant portion of the investigation against him legally null and void.The Superior Tribunal for the Settlement of Criminal Cases issued its decision on Monday, December 22. The court revoked a 40-month prison sentence Martinelli had agreed to with prosecutors and invalidated investigative actions taken after February 27, 2015.Court Finds Fundamental Legal ViolationsThe three-judge panel ruled that the prosecution’s case was built on flawed foundations. Magistrates José Hoo Justiniani, Eyda Amarilis Juárez, and Dida Esther Ruiz found that the Anti-Corruption…