Author: michaelm
India is actively strengthening its commercial presence in Panama, with companies from technology, automotive, chemical, and service sectors exploring new opportunities for business and regional expansion. The Asian nation remains one of the top destinations for Panamanian exports while deepening investment ties, according to the Indian ambassador in Panama City. This strategic push aims to leverage Panama’s unique logistical advantages to access broader Latin American markets. The bilateral relationship is experiencing a phase of significant growth and diversification. This growth is fueled not only by an increase in the exchange of goods but also by a clear interest from Indian…
The Panamanian state has received a total of 160 million dollars in dividends from its 10 percent stake in the Panama Ports Company (PPC) over nearly 30 years. A staggering 81 percent of that sum arrived in a single year, 2021, as the company sought a critical contract renewal. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (Panama) confirmed the figures this week following a review of financial records.This payout history reveals a pattern of minimal returns suddenly interrupted by a massive, strategically timed payment. For almost 15 consecutive years, PPC paid no dividends to the state from its operations at the…
The president of Panama’s leading private sector association has called for a sweeping reduction in bureaucratic red tape to stimulate job creation. Giulia De Sanctis of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE) issued the warning this week, stating that inefficient public administration is delaying investments and stifling employment opportunities.De Sanctis made her remarks in a column titled ‘The Voice of APEDE,’ framing administrative agility as a critical component for economic recovery. She argued that predictable rules and a functional state apparatus are non-negotiable prerequisites for attracting the capital needed to grow Panama’s workforce.”Investment and employment do not happen by…
Panama’s energy sector faces a growing divide in adopting battery storage technology, with rapid growth in homes and businesses stalling at the utility scale due to incomplete regulations. While global investment soars, the nation’s formal power generation market awaits critical operational rules that investors say are needed to unlock major projects. This regulatory gap has already impacted a key national power auction, leaving Panama’s grid modernization efforts behind international targets.The contrast is stark. Estimates from industry players suggest over ten percent of commercial solar installations now include battery backup, a figure driven by plunging costs and demand for stable power.…
Panamanian officials are advancing a $1.6 billion reservoir project to secure water for the Panama Canal and the nation’s population. The plan to dam the Indio River has ignited fierce protests from local communities who fear a repeat of the forced relocations that accompanied the canal’s original construction over a century ago. This modern infrastructure push directly confronts a painful historical legacy of displacement in the name of progress. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) argues the new reservoir is an urgent necessity. A severe drought in 2023 forced drastic reductions in ship traffic, highlighting the waterway’s vulnerability to climate change.…
Panama City’s historic district, known as the Cosco Antiguo, continues to serve as a primary cultural destination for nearly one million annual visitors. The UNESCO World Heritage site blends centuries of colonial history with the vibrant energy of modern Panama, offering an escape from the city’s famed skyscrapers just minutes away. Walking its cobblestone streets provides a direct connection to the nation’s layered past. Located in the San Felipe district, the area was constructed in 1673 after the original Panama Viejo settlement was destroyed. It functioned as a fortified city complete with protective walls against pirate attacks. Today, those same…
Construction on Panama’s New Gorgas Campus, a major public health research complex, is progressing with its first phase now 18 percent complete. The project represents a total investment of $198.5 million and is slated to transform the nation’s scientific infrastructure by 2028. Officials from the Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies presented the update to the National Assembly this week, outlining the timeline for the sprawling facility adjacent to the City of Health complex.The development is divided into two distinct phases. The initial phase carries a budget of $73.4 million, while the second phase is valued at $125.1 million. Funding…
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino formally initiated a major road rehabilitation project for the key tourist route to El Valle de Antón on Friday, March 13. The $12.5 million public works contract aims to repair 34.8 kilometers of roadway in Coclé Province to boost local economies and improve safety.Mulino was joined by Public Works Minister José Luis Andrade for the signing ceremony. They issued the official order to proceed to the construction consortium Transeq-Copsa. The project directly responds to longstanding infrastructure needs in a region popular with both domestic and international visitors.Economic and Social Benefits of the Road RehabilitationGovernment estimates…
For newcomers to Panama, the most essential cultural lesson is not found in a guidebook. It is a single word heard countless times each day. The national custom of saying “Buenas” operates as the fundamental social glue for Panamanian society. This simple greeting shapes daily interactions from urban elevators to rural trails, creating a framework of respect that foreigners must learn to navigate successfully.The practice is far more than a linguistic shortcut. It represents a core social contract. Cultural experts describe it as the invisible thread maintaining community cohesion in a nation balancing rapid modernization with deep tradition. Mastering its…
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino inaugurated the Roberto Mariano Bula sports stadium in Colón on Friday, March 13, 2026. The event doubled as a political rally where the president defended his administration’s record and sharply criticized previous governments for mismanagement.The stadium’s delivery concludes a nine year wait for the province. It will officially open with the inaugural game of the 2026 National Major Baseball Championship between Colón and Chiriquí. This marks a significant upgrade for professional sports infrastructure in the region.A Project Marked by Delays and Cost OverrunsConstruction on the coliseum began in 2017 as part of the Colón Sports…