Panama

As one of the main challenges in Panama’s construction sector despite the rapid growth of recent years, many developers point to the process of issuing building permits, which has been fraught with delays and rising prices. Permit costs have risen significantly in some municipalities, such as San Miguelito, which raised them by 40% in 2015. The reasons given for such...

What changes will local ports undergo in response to the completion of the Panama Canal expansion?

Despite slower GDP growth in 2014 – 6.5% compared to 8.4% in 2013 – Panama remains one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America and the Caribbean, with regional counterparts averaging 5.5%. According to figures from the World Bank and the IMF, while the Panamanian economy is currently the 13th largest in the region, with a nominal GDP of $43.8bn, growth is set...

The combination of Panamanians’ growing purchasing power and the presence of foreigner visitors eager to spend in upscale boutiques has contributed to the latest boom in the luxury retail sector. The tangible impact of this growth can be seen in the influx of international high-end brands and ongoing investments in the construction of luxury retail space.