Inversión extranjera, factor clave para el crecimiento de la economía

- 6 de Febrero, 2017
Fuente: Capital Financiero

En el III trimestre de 2016 la IED alcanzó un saldo acumulado de $4.211 millones

La ola de inversión extranjera directa (IED) parece no detenerse y puede ser la tabla de salvación para la economía panameña, que innegablemente atraviesa por una desaceleración y que además podría verse afectada por los escándalos de corrupción, las políticas económicas del presidente estadounidense Donald Trump y los bajos niveles de ejecución del presupuesto de inversiones del Gobierno.

Uno de los pocos proyectos de Estado que ha tenido Panamá es convertir al país en un territorio atractivo para la llegada de empresas extranjeras, un renglón en el que ha tenido que competir fuertemente con otras naciones de Centroamérica y el Caribe que precisamente buscan este mismo objetivo.

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Hewlett Packard establece su centro de distribución regional en Zona Libre de Colón

- 7 de febrero de 2017
Fuente: Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias

La empresa de tecnología Hewlett Packard inició sus operaciones de distribución regional en la Zona Libre de Colón de la mano de sus socios comerciales DHL y Logistic Services Panama, lo que representa una inyección económica importante para la provincia de Colón, mayor movimiento de carga en el sistema portuario y logístico panameño, y la generación de nuevas plazas de empleo.

Así lo anunció el ministro de Comercio e Industrias, Augusto Arosemena, durante un recorrido por las instalaciones de Logistic Services Panama para conocer de primera mano las operaciones de Hewlett Packard, destacando que su decisión de trasladarse de Panama Pacífico a Zona Libre de Colón refleja la confianza en la plataforma logística de Colón y les permitirá consolidar su carga que viene de Asia y Brasil hacia sus destinos finales.

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Deeper Harbor And Increased Volume Spur Union Benefits, Says ILA President

- February 8th, 2017
Source: The Chronicle

South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) this week announced an all-time record for container volume. The port surpassed the previous record of 104, 003 containers handled in May 2015. Container volume is up 28 percent compared to the same month last year.

Congress passed the Charleston Harbor deepening project in December which will deepen Charleston Harbor to 54 feet at the entrance channel and 52 feet in the harbor.

That means larger ships that can traverse the newly expanded Panama Canal will be   able to call on the Port of Charleston any time of day without tidal restrictions. The harbor is already wide enough to handle two ships simultaneously.

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Expanded Panama Canal: Offering Connectivity and Reliable Service To Maritime Industry

- February 11th, 2017
Source: Hellenic Shipping News

Approximately 800 Neopanamax ships have transited the Expanded Canal since the opening of the new locks in June.

Over the past eight months, the new locks have provided safe and efficient service to the maritime industry. Customer satisfaction with the operation of the Expanded Canal is unmistakable, as evident in the 10 new liner services that have been rerouted to the Panama Canal route since June as a result of the advantages the waterway offers.

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USGC, Panama Canal administration focus on trade

- February 15th, 2017
Source: World Grain

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Panama Canal Administration signed a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) about the importance of the Panama Canal to U.S. grain trade, during the USGC 14th International Marketing Conference & 57th Annual Membership Meeting in Panama City, Panama.

According to the USGC, 69% of all cargo traveling through the Panama Canal originates from or is destined for the United States, including roughly one-third of total U.S. grain exports, Manuel Benitez , deputy administrator for the Panama Canal, told the crowd. The new set of locks will open opportunities for larger and more efficient shipments of all products.

On Feb. 13 more than 350 conference attendees had a firsthand look at the new Panama Canal expansion, which opened on June 26, 2016.

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Fitch Affirm Panama's Ratings at 'BBB'; Outlook Stable

- February 16th, 2017
Source: Fitch Ratings

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Panama's sovereign ratings as follows:

--Long-term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'BBB', Outlook Stable;

--Senior unsecured Foreign- and Local-Currency bonds at 'BBB';

--Country Ceiling at 'A';

--Short-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency IDR at 'F2'.

Panama's ratings are supported by continued strong and stable macroeconomic performance, which has driven a sustained rise in per-capita income and reflects policies and a strategic location and asset (the Panama Canal) that underpin a high investment rate. This is counterbalanced by institutional constraints and weak policy credibility, as the administration has improved compliance with legal deficit limits but has not yet been able to lower the central government deficit from high levels despite strong growth.

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