a) Despite the 2008 global economic crisis, Panama’s economy has experienced steady growth since 2005 with low inflation, low unemployment, and steady GDP growth. Panama’s steady growth and economic stability far outweigh the United States relative to GDP. Panama has had the fastest growing economy in Latin America in the last fifteen years.

b) Panama has an investment grade credit rating (BBB from S&P and Fitch; and BA2 from Moody’s) with a positive outlook from both S&P and Moody’s. Panama is one of the five Latin American countries that has an investment grade sovereign credit rating (the others are Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico). 

c)    Panama will be the richest country in Latin America in 2021 according to Moody’s. Panama’s credit rating is determined by four factors: a strong economy, strong institutions, tax policies, and the ability to recover from risky events. Panama is a service economy that has a positive growth trajectory. It has a positive credit history with low refinancing, with an unchanging risk rating and a constant flow of income associated with contributions from the Panama Canal. Panama will continue to improve its position as a logistics center and is on its way to becoming the richest country in Latin America in terms of purchasing power per capita in 2021.

d) It is one of the countries in the region where it takes the least amount time for an entrepreneur to open a business, an average of six days according to the World Bank, and ranks 38 out of 189 in terms of facilities for creating a new company. 

e) 5% of world trade passes through the Panama Canal.

f) The US dollar as a currency provides us with a strong and competitive financial center.

g) Protected foreign investments. The Civil Code of Panama, the Constitution and its Foreign Investment Law ensure that foreigners have the same rights as Panamanians with respect to property, investments and business.

a) More than 90 banks with efficient rules and regulations, high liquidity, and good financial results. The comparative advantages provided by the Panama Canal, which culminated in its expansion with the building of a new sets of locks has contributed to a new transport capacity of 13,000 / 14,000 TEU, which contributes 4.5% to the national GDP, provides us with a 5% share of worldwide trade and 120 sea routes from 80 countries.

b) There are also mega port facilities owned by conglomerates on both coasts, which are only hour away from each other.

c) Panama is the Hub of the Americas. It is less than 3 flights away from most major U.S. cities, with direct flights to Panama from Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Washington, D.C. among others. In total, Panama City’s International Airport has direct flights to more than 80 destinations in America, Europe and Asia. Great connectivity both by the air and through telecommunications. Panama is an air hub within the region with more than 1,100 international weekly flights and a new international terminal under construction. From Europe, six airlines have direct flights to Panama: Air France, Iberia, Lufthansa, KLM, Turkish Airlines and TAP Portugal. In addition, Panama has 6 underwater fiber optic cables that cross the country.

a) City of knowledge: A science, technology and business park for a more humane and sustainable development.

b) Panama Pacifico: A business and residential center located on 1,400 acres next to the Canal and 15 km from Panama City.

c) Colon Free Zone: The second-largest free zone in the world and the principal commercial center for Latin America and the Caribbean.

d) Free Trade Area:  Part of a special regime for the establishment and operation of companies that contribute to the development of the country. List of Free Zones registered in Panama.