Thriving on the back of an expanding economy and surging population growth, Qatar’s retail sector is now set for further expansion. With a string of giant malls inching towards completion and existing stores undergoing refitting and refurbishing, the country looks set to establish itself as a major regional retail centre. Location will be a major factor in competition, with transport links such...
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Interviews & Viewpoints | OBG talks to Leopoldo Benedetti, General Manager, Colón Free Trade Zone from The Report: Panama 2014
What opportunities do Panama’s new free trade agreements (FTAs) offer the retail sector?
Articles & Analysis | No shortage of choice: Revenues are surging on the back of increasing income levels and rising visitor numbers from The Report: Panama 2014
Double-digit GDP growth for four of the past seven years, moderate inflation and high employment have had a positive impact on Panama’s retail sector. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo, INEC), retail revenues increased by 19.1% between 2011 and 2012, outpacing those of other...
Articles & Analysis | Location, location, location: Colón Free Zone is seeing increasing demand from distributors from The Report: Panama 2014
Panama’s advantages as a regional base for Latin America are of primary interest to international distributors. Its location along some of the world’s busiest trade lanes, the Panama Canal, a dollarised economy, stable political environment, and tax and fiscal incentives have all contributed to Panama’s proven ability to attract international...
For the past decade Panama has registered impressive economic growth. According to the World Bank, GDP growth averaged 6.8% from 2000 to 2012, while government figures show double-digit growth for four of the past seven years. Economic development has been fuelled by heavy public sector spending on infrastructure, particularly the $5.25bn expansion of the Panama Canal, which should ensure long-term growth.
Although the emirate’s economic growth can be primarily attributed to its vast hydrocarbons resources, it has also made progress diversifying into new sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, aerospace, defence, finance and logistics. In addition to its economic investments, Abu Dhabi has also made major contributions to social welfare as well as infrastructure, which has been identified as the bedrock for future growth.