Author: spieper
Panama’s Minister of Commerce and Industries, Julio Moltó, met with South African officials this week to deepen economic ties. The high-level discussions in South Africa focused on increasing Panamanian exports and exploring joint ventures in technology and manufacturing.The meetings, part of Panama Week 2025, aimed to leverage Panama’s strategic geographic position. Officials specifically highlighted the country’s role as a global logistics hub for re-exporting goods between Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. Both nations identified significant untapped potential in their trade relationship.Minister Moltó outlined clear opportunities for growth. He pointed to sectors like agribusiness, specialized manufacturing, and technology services as…
The Municipality of Panama has announced a temporary closure of its primary vehicle plate distribution center. The facility will be closed this Saturday, December 13, for essential electrical system maintenance.Located in the Francisco Arias Paredes Park between Peru and Cuba Avenues, the center will suspend all operations for the entire day. Officials stated the maintenance work is critical for ensuring the safety and proper function of the building’s infrastructure. Normal services are scheduled to resume on Monday, December 15.Service Interruption Details and Official StatementThis closure directly impacts the delivery of new vehicle registration plates and the processing of annual circulation…
Panamanian officials are coordinating with Germany on a new roadmap to increase exports to the European market. The strategy focuses on high-potential sectors like aquaculture, processed wood for shipbuilding, and artificial intelligence software development. The high-level meeting took place in Panama City this week as both nations seek to deepen trade ties.The Panama Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) also confirmed German interest in Panamanian cacao, which is globally recognized for its quality. This sector has already attracted significant investment from Germany. The talks aim to translate this interest into concrete export growth and further investment.German Delegation Reviews Panama’s Competitive…
Panama’s banking regulator will launch a new electronic system for consumer complaints next year. The Superintendency of Banks of Panama (SBP) approved the new rules, known as Agreement 9-2025, to modernize how disputes between customers and financial institutions are handled.Starting November 15, 2026, all formal banking complaints must be filed and managed through a centralized digital platform. This system will create accessible digital case files for both consumers and banks, moving the entire process online.Modernizing Consumer ProtectionThe regulator stated the primary goals are to reduce in-person paperwork, cut down on physical document use, and streamline communication through electronic notifications. This…
A new market study reveals that nearly half of all point-of-sale payments in Panama are still made with cash. The report from payment processor Telered and pollster Dichter & Neira shows cultural attachment, not technology access, is the primary driver. This trend persists even as the nation’s digital financial infrastructure expands rapidly.Released this week, the data indicates 48 percent of in-store transactions use physical money. That figure highlights a significant gap between technological availability and public adoption. Panama boasts a robust portfolio of innovative financial services, yet consumer habits remain firmly rooted in tradition. The study’s authors argue this cultural…
The Mayor’s Office of Panama has unveiled the full schedule for the 2025 City of Stars International Christmas Festival. This extensive program of cultural and community events will animate Panama City throughout December and January. Officials designed the festival to offer family-friendly activities across the capital district. Events begin in early December and continue for nearly two full months. The calendar includes Christmas shows, community markets, a major parade, and the inauguration of several new public spaces in January. This initiative aims to bring holiday celebrations directly to residents in numerous neighborhoods. Festival Schedule and Community Focus December’s packed schedule…
A teacher in Panama City chained herself to the entrance of a regional education office on Thursday, demanding an immediate investigation into alleged retaliation she faces for reporting misconduct. Iris Kwiers, a teacher at the Instituto Comercial Panamá, began her protest at 10:30 a.m. at the Panama Centro Regional office of the Ministry of Education of Panama. Kwiers claims she has endured years of persecution, harassment, and verbal abuse from administrators after she reported two separate cases of alleged irregularities at her school in 2020. She stated she would remain chained in place until the ministry intervenes to stop the…
Copa Airlines inaugurated a new direct route from Panama City to Los Cabos, Mexico this Thursday. The inaugural flight departed from Tocumen International Airport with 95 percent of seats occupied, signaling strong initial demand for the beach destination.The Panamanian carrier will operate three weekly flights to the Mexican resort area on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. This expansion adds a key leisure destination to the airline’s network, known as the Hub of the Americas, which connects travelers from across Latin America.New Route Attracts Regional TravelersAccording to Copa Airlines sales director Diego Bermúdez, the route is already drawing passengers from multiple countries.…
A Caja de Seguro Social (Panama) employee was arrested this week on corruption charges. The arrest followed allegations she accepted bribes to expedite medical appointments at a major public hospital complex.National Police officers from the Judicial Investigation Directorate (Panama) carried out the detention in coordination with the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities apprehended the public servant at the CSS administrative offices in the Clayton area of Panama City on Thursday, December 4. She is expected to face a guarantee judge for a formal hearing in the coming hours.Investigation Uncovers Appointment ManipulationPreliminary evidence suggests the employee manipulated the CSS’s digital scheduling system.…
Panama’s government has secured immediate and long-term funding for the National Library of Panama. President José Raúl Mulino announced a new cultural cooperation agreement this week, ending years of financial uncertainty for the institution. The pact between the Ministry of Culture of Panama and the Pro National Library Foundation promises to modernize the nation’s primary repository of historical documents.Mulino made the announcement during his regular weekly press conference, framing the move as part of a broader commitment to cultural institutions. He stated the guaranteed resources will enable key modernization projects that have been stalled. A central focus will be the…