In January of this year, the Monthly Index of Economic Activity reported a 15% year-on-year drop, which is similar to the behavior recorded from March to December 2020, a period in which the pandemic severely affected productive activities.

This index contracted considerably, due to the effects of the Covid-19 health emergency. Among the economic sectors that were affected were: Hotels and restaurants, other community, social and personal service activities, construction, commerce, financial intermediation, manufacturing industries, electricity and water, real estate, business and rental activities, and transportation, storage and communications, among others, according to the Comptroller General’s Office of the Republic.

According to official estimates, some activities particularly registered positive results, such as: the export of copper ore and its derivatives, fish and fish fillet (fresh, refrigerated and frozen), renewable electricity generation, Canal tolls, telecommunications, container movement of the National Port System TEU, production of milk and its derivatives, as well as private health services.

According to a CentralAmericaData analysis, in this context of health crisis, Panama is the economy that at regional level shows the most damage, since in May 2020 the fall in economic activity exceeded 31%, and although in the following months production recovered dynamism, at the beginning of 2021 production is still depressed.

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