Author: spieper

PANAMA CITY, Panama – For the first time in its six-decade history, Industrias Panamá Boston has begun exporting its Panamanian-made soaps to Central America. The company announced this week that shipments to Costa Rica commenced in September, marking a significant milestone in its regional expansion strategy and projecting annual exports of over 1.2 million units.This strategic move represents a new chapter for the Panamanian consumer goods manufacturer, which has been a staple in the domestic market since the 1960s. The export initiative is backed by the company’s advanced manufacturing process and its use of both international and locally sourced renewable…

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – The Panamanian government has approved a legislative proposal to transform the Ministry of Women into the National Institute of Women (Inamu). The Council of Ministers approved the measure, known as Draft Law 3425, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, initiating a major restructuring of the nation’s primary agency for women’s rights.The move, announced by President José Raúl Mulino earlier this year as part of a broader institutional modernization plan, aims to create a more efficient and technically focused entity. Officials state the change is designed to strengthen the agency’s role in coordinating public policy for women across…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The National Assembly of Panama definitively approved a controversial bill on Tuesday that modifies requirements for practicing law, setting up a potential constitutional confrontation with President José Raúl Mulino. Law 168, which seeks to modify Law 350 of 2022 and relax the standards for obtaining legal certification, passed its third and final debate by insistence with 50 votes in favor, zero against, and zero abstentions.The approval came after the Government Commission recommended no changes to the original proposal that President Mulino had previously vetoed. The bill now returns to the president’s desk, where he must decide…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Consumer Confidence Index (ICC) in Panama registered a slight increase of 9 points but remains mired in pessimistic territory at 79 points, according to a September 2025 survey released by The Marketing Group and the Panamanian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (CCIAP). The persistently low figure reveals deep-seated public anxiety about the nation’s economic future, driven by high unemployment and widespread informal labor.The survey, a key barometer of household economic sentiment, highlights a stark disconnect between macroeconomic growth indicators and the daily financial realities of most Panamanians. Despite the minor uptick, the index remains…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Mayor’s Office of San Miguelito has officially announced that the municipal cemetery has reached its maximum capacity. To continue providing burial services, the administration will begin a process to recover burial spaces where funeral rights have been in arrears for over 15 years.The critical capacity issue necessitates the immediate implementation of existing municipal regulations. According to the official statement, plots where families have failed to pay the required fees for more than a decade and a half will be subject to recovery. This measure is designed to free up space for new burials, ensuring the…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Most private schools in Panama will maintain current tuition and enrollment fees for the 2026 academic year, according to a recent report from the Consumer Protection and Competition Authority (Acodeco). The October 2025 analysis of 140 private institutions reveals that while price stability dominates the sector, education costs continue to present significant financial challenges for Panamanian families amid economic pressures.The comprehensive study, updated through October 15, 2025, indicates that 79% of monitored schools—equivalent to 111 institutions—will not increase enrollment or annual tuition fees for the upcoming school year. Despite this general stability, approximately one-fifth of surveyed…

The National Public Services Authority (Asep) of Panama announced on Tuesday, October 21, that it has imposed fines totaling $18.5 million on three electricity distribution companies for failing to meet legally mandated service quality standards. The penalized firms are Ensa, Edemet, and Edechi, and the fine money will be returned directly to their customers as credits on future power bills.According to an official statement from the regulatory body, the sanctions are the result of 10 separate administrative processes initiated between 2019 and 2022. These cases were reviewed and ultimately resolved by the current Asep administration in August 2024. The investigations…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panamanian Ministry of Health (Minsa) has implemented immediate epidemiological surveillance and vaccination efforts in the Bocas del Toro province following a confirmed case of yellow fever in neighboring Costa Rica. Health officials are focusing on border communities, particularly the Sixaola river entry point near Guabito, to prevent the potential spread of the mosquito-borne virus.The regional director of Minsa, Daryl Palmore, confirmed that authorities are actively managing the procurement of the international yellow fever vaccine to ensure its availability for provincial residents. The proactive measures aim to create a protective barrier for the local population and…

The Mayor’s Office of Panama City has issued a formal decree restricting noise-generating activities for November 2, 2025, to respect the national observance of the Day of the Dead. The municipal order aims to ensure a peaceful environment for families visiting cemeteries and participating in remembrance traditions throughout the district.According to the official decree published on October 20, 2025, the restrictions will be in effect for the entire 24-hour period of Sunday, November 2. The measure specifically targets activities that produce excessive noise, including but not limited to the use of loudspeakers, construction work, and large-scale public events that could…

PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panamanian government spent over $400 million per month on public sector salaries through the first eight months of 2025, with August reaching a yearly high of $450 million in wage payments alone. According to official data from the Comptroller General of the Republic, total salary expenditures from January to August 2025 reached $3.4 billion, showing a net increase of $21.1 million despite some monthly fluctuations.The comprehensive payroll report covering 95 public institutions reveals a steadily growing public sector workforce that reached 264,774 employees by August 2025. This figure represents a 1.5% increase compared to August…