In the midst of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Panama went to seek economic resources from international markets. This was not an exhibition of shyness since the issuance of $2.5 billion was made over 30 years. Strong support was obtained from the international market, which constitutes a vote of confidence in our country. […]
On March 24, 2020, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation [1] with Panama and considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting. [2] After a decade of high growth, the economy slowed in 2018–19 and growth is estimated to have reached 3.0 percent in 2019. […]
The Holland America Line ship where four people have died, two have tested positive for covid-19 and nearly 200 report flu-like symptoms made it through the Panama Canal on Monday morning after days of uncertainty. Since March 22, the number of people reporting flu-like symptoms on the Zaandam has risen steadily, from 42 initially to […]
The US Justice Department unsealed an indictment on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other government officials last week, accusing them of “narco-terrorism.” The move is reminiscent of the 1988 indictment of former CIA asset and Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. The Noriega indictment resulted in a US invasion of Panama that left hundreds – possibly thousands […]
The Panama Canal is set to operate with a reduced workforce for at least 14 days, and there has been a surge in booking cancellations primarily from the cruise sector. Panama Canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez told a video conference on Friday that the waterway is operating with a workforce of 3,600 of its 10,000 employees, […]
Chris Dolmetsch at Bloomberg covers the ongoing saga about the former Trump Hotel. A former business partner of Donald Trump’s hotel company can pursue allegations that the president’s firm evaded income taxes on a project in Panama and under-reported employee salaries there, a federal judge ruled. U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos on Monday allowed the […]
Jessica Ramesch writes in International Living on life here in Panama. As I write this—halfway around the world from most who will read it—it occurs to me that we are all in the same boat. No matter where you are, there are worries…compassion for many who have lost jobs or worse, loved ones…and hope that […]
Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death. But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again. They say that after just a few weeks of quiet The sky is no longer […]
In view of the emergency arising from the spread of covid-19, a bill was submitted to the Assembly proposing a 90-calendar-day suspension of the payment of municipal and national taxes. The initiative also establishes the suspension for 90 days of the payment of electricity and drinking water, as well as mortgage and personal loans, among […]
Identifying critical business needs and setting up plans on how to maintain supplies and operations, as well as establishing communication channels with suppliers to be informed in case of any eventuality, are part of the advice for companies. The coronavirus has already affected the world economy, and its effects do not seem to stop. With […]