Overall a very positive article about Panama's economic future. They do express some debt concerns but based on a diverse economy they don't think it will be a problem.
Excerpts:
"What's striking is that this is such a
broad-based economy," said Boris Segura, an economist with the Royal
Bank of Scotland. "Yes, they have the canal but there is also tourism,
construction and a growing financial services sector." With a population of just 3.4 million, Panama will never be a China or a Japan
but local leaders say it can aspire to become like Singapore, an
affluent and diverse crossroads for international finance and trade. "Nobody is going to come to Panama to sell to
the domestic market. We tell investors 'Come to Panama and sell to the
world'", Trade Minister Roberto Henriquez told Reuters. He sees the
small isthmus nation's future as a boutique exporter of high-margin
goods and services. "The numbers tell us that we can continue
stepping on the pedal without going into profound financial problems in
the country," said Henriquez. But
with a capital skyline that resembles Dubai of yesteryear and
politicians promising to pour even more concrete in a building spree,
some fret that spending or growth could spin out of control. Panama will get a prolonged boost from the canal
upgrade and is reaping a modest windfall too as wealthy economic
refugees arrive from other Latin American countries like Venezuela,
Ecuador and Bolivia, where left-wing governments have spooked business
leaders and investors.
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