Panama: The Economy

Panama has a strategic location in Central America. Itproducts.
relies in the isthmus which means that is borders thePanama has coped up its economy due to the fact
North and South part of America. It has diversethat the population of Panama has contributed its
opportunities for economic development as it servesgovernment reforms. At this time, the economy of
international trade, commerce and shipping. However,Panama has been more open and accessible to
its economy is mainly into service industry whichforeign investments. The increase in foreign investment
comprises 80% percent of the Gross Domesticwhich contributed growth to economy of Panama
Products. The economy of Panama in the servicepaved way for more development in Panama as seen
industries includes finance, health, insurance,in the recent years. The result is steady economic
telecommunications, transportation, banking, maritimegrowth. One of the targets of Panama foreign
service and Canal, logistics due the Colon Free Zoneinvestment is the real estate that draws investors
and the strategic ports, tourism and generalfrom America, Asia, and Europe. As soon as the real
commerce.estate boom started in Panama, the prices of Panama
The economy of Panama has been successfullyproperties and the value had increased up. However,
progressing the recent years. It is more into banking,the demands continued to rise and more property
commerce, trade, and tourism. Its economic activitiesconstructions and project developments are build in
are focused on the Panama Canal where internationaldifferent provinces and neighborhoods in Panama. As
trade passes through it. The canal turnover from thethe economy of Panama continued to progress,
US administration and the US military bases was onestarting the expansion of the Panama canal. When this
of the pioneers of the rise of new projects in Panamaproject is culminated, more investments are expected
and the start-up of economic development. Currentlyin Panama.
the Panama Canal is under the PanamanianGrowth in GDP has been remarkable in the last year
government administration developing a high qualitycompared to past years. So far, Panama becomes
standard being one of the most transit canals in thethe third largest GDP per capita among other countries
maritime industry, the government of Panama hasin Central America. The growth in GDP was mostly on
improved several public programs, reforms on taxes,the sectors of transportation and telecommunications.
and trade agreement domestically and internationallyGDP as of 2006 was 15 dollars billion and the annual
that contributed to another phase of growth. Asidegrowth from 2005 was 8 percent. The per capita of
from the service industries that has great contributionGDP in 2006 was four thousand dollars.
to economy of Panama, Panama is also intoIn conclusion, the road to the progress of the economy
agricultural and industry but comprises only a smallof Panama has not been easy. Just like other
percentage of the GDP. Agriculture focuses oncountries that pass several stages of economic
banana, watermelon, sugar, corn, timber, coffee,development, Panama has not been exempted. The
livestock, vegetables and tuna exports while industrycombination of the industriousness of its population and
comprise aircraft manufacturing, cements, automobiles,the government programs had made it possible for
drinks, adhesives and textiles among many otherPanama to rise above economic difficulties.