Panama: Construction Figures Up to May 2017


News from Panama

In the first five months of the year, the value of new constructions, additions and repairs amounted to $967 million, 24% more than in the same period in 2016. Figures compiled by the Office of the Comptroller General show that the value of new constructions, additions and repairs between January and May reached $967 million, led […]

July 11, 2017

Panama Canal Does Some Good While Upending Historic Trade Routes


News from Panama

By Jessica Shankleman (Bloomberg) — Fresh from a $5.25 billion, nine-year expansion that’s upending decades-old trade routes, it turns out the Panama Canal is also doing a little good for the planet. By offering a short-cut to deliver billions of dollars of Asian-made goods to America’s East Coast ports, the waterway has helped its shipping company customers […]

July 11, 2017

Panama: More Companies to Withhold ITBMS


News from Panama

The obligation to retain part of the tax on the transfer of movable property and provision of services now extends to companies whose annual purchases exceed $5 million. Since February last year, 163 companies have had to withhold a percentage of ITBMS from their suppliers for purchases of goods and services, and then send it to the tax […]

July 11, 2017

Panama facing airspace overhaul challenge


News from Panama

  Panama is planning to modernize  its airspace to support how its manages a forecast annual increase in international traffic of 5 per cent. Experts of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Boeing, the Federal Aviation Authority  and the country’s air navigation services provider met at the Technological University […]

July 11, 2017

Is Panama Making the Right Move by Recognizing China?


News from Panama

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela on June 21 defended his country’s decision the week before to give diplomatic recognition to China, effectively cutting off diplomatic relations with long-time ally Taiwan. He said the move was “the right thing to do,” adding that it would bring investment and trade to the country. Did Panama make the […]

July 11, 2017

Panama Needs to Redesign its Airspace


News from Panama

The airlines claim there is a need to improve air traffic management at Tocumen airport, because “it is useless to have a new terminal if the planes cannot land.” Panama is at risk of losing competitiveness to other air hubs, such as Bogotá, if it does not take measures to reduce air congestion at Panama City’s international airport, […]

July 4, 2017