Bureaucracy or correct oversight.  That is a debate that will continue to plague Panama as it continues its rapid growth.

The union of builders attributed the 10% drop in building permits in the first quarter to the slowness with which the Mayoral office of Panama is processing procedures.

On the other side of the fence Jose Blandon, Mayor of the Municipality of Panama, where a large number of construction projects are being developed, defended his position arguing that “… efforts are being made to improve processes but they can not just grant permission to any project . “

See ” Panama: Residential Development for $45 million “

La Estrella de Panama reports “… The president of the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (CAPAC), Ivan De Ycaza said ‘The slow approval processes is what has delayed the start of some works and it is possible that some investors are rethinking their decisions regarding their investments’. ”  

You may want to  read: ” Infrastructure Projects for $ 275 million.”

“… Mayor Jose I. Blandon defended himself and said ‘I do not think that that using the pretext of accelerating the Panamanian economy is valid, or that we should grant permission for any project, regardless of its effect on the city or whether or not it complies with the regulations in force’.”