Lying at the crossroads of the North and South American continents and the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Panama has always being of immense historical strategic importance.

Panama, with a population of almost 4.0 million, has had the highest average growth in the region over the past decade and is expected to continue to have one of the strongest growth rates in Latin America, set against a backdrop of low inflation, a stable financial system, and a declining current account deficit. GDP grew by 5.8 percent in 2015, and growth is projected to remain around 5.6 percent in 2016 (IMF). Over the medium term, the increase in canal transit, a dynamic service sector, and investments in the energy, mining, and logistics sectors should help maintain vibrant growth.

At the present, there are massive public investments in infrastructure projects such as the construction of the second Metro line, the third bridge over the Canal, expansion of logistic ports and facilities and expected additional traffic generated by the expanded Canal. Prospects for high growth in the coming years are also supported by emerging opportunities for private sector-led growth in key sectors, such as transport and logistics, mining, financial services, and tourism.