Panama: Economic Activity Grows 6.5% up to May 2017


News from Panama / Sunday, July 30th, 2017

Between January and May, the monthly index of economic activity varied by 6.49% with respect to the same period in 2016, mainly due to the activities of construction and exploitation of mines and quarries.

From a report by the Comptroller General of the Republic.

The Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMAE) in the Republic, for the period January – May 2017, grew by 6.49%, compared to the same period in 2016.

The categories of economic activity that performed well were: construction, mining and quarrying, transport, storage and communications, electricity and water, public administration, manufacturing industries, community activities and trade.  The rest of the categories showed a favorable incidence, but at a lower rate, with the exception of fishing, agriculture and health, which registered a decrease. 

The monthly variation of May 2017, compared to 2016, was 7.48%. 

Commercial activities registered an increase, explained by demand from local wholesale trade and of the Colon Free Zone.

Read full report (in spanish).