Corruption remains a pressing problem in Panama


News from Panama

According to its citizens, Panama currently ranks fifth among the most corrupt countries in Latin America, despite a decline in the number of people who admitted to bribery payments.   According to Carlos Barsallo, president of the Panamanian chapter of Transparency International, more than 56 percent of the population believes that corruption has increased, a […]

December 30, 2019

Of “Tall Tales” and Mega-Projects


News from Panama

Five years after the big announcement made by President Ortega and the Chinese company HKND, of the famous project to build a large inter-oceanic canal in Nicaragua, there are only tales. The mega-project promised at the time by the Ortega government was estimated at $50 billion and promised to be built in five years, from […]

December 30, 2019

What are Businessmen Expecting in 2020?


News from Panama

Taking measures to reactivate the productive sectors, make better use of public-private partnerships and boost tourism is part of what the private sector expects from the Panamanian government in the coming year. Six months before the Cortizo administration takes office, Panama‘s business sector is asking it to make the decisions the economy needs to be […]

December 30, 2019

Reflections on Panama’s Past


News from Panama

Last year marked the 30 anniversary of the US invasion of Panama.  A very controversial subject and a sad time indeed with all that happened just to get one man.  I read history for one reason that we all should do and that is to learn from our past mistakes so as not to repeat […]

December 30, 2019

Happy New Year and Welcome to a New Decade


News from Panama

Well, it is finally here!  I find myself feeling jubilant, happy, but also anxious about the new year, what will it bring? Having just turned 66, I have started the year/decade with a new milestone. I am another year older and I like to think, another year wiser.  Panama has been good to Susie and […]

December 30, 2019

Tips for Transiting the Panama Canal


News from Panama

Recruited at the last minute for a trip through the Canal, a sailor learns the ropes of how to pass through the locks. Diane Gorch writes for Cruising World I scrambled out of the ­dinghy onto Minh’s transom steps as a last-minute addition to the crew, the required fourth line handler needed for a transit […]

December 23, 2019

Illegal Fishing: Sanction for Panama


News from Panama

Since the country has not made enough efforts to eradicate illegal fishing, the European Union sanctioned it with a yellow card, a warning that precedes the red card, which if applied would prohibit the entry of Panamanian fishery products into Europe. After the corresponding audits were carried out, the sanction to Panama dated December 16, […]

December 23, 2019

Central America Purchases More Chilean Wine


News from Panama

In the first six months of 2019, Central American countries imported $38 million in wine, and purchases from Chilean companies increased by 11% over the same period in 2018. Regional Business Upwards Between the first half of 2018 and the same period in 2019, the value of wine imports into Central America registered a 2% […]

December 23, 2019