| Foreign investment in Panama as a percentage of | | | | the United Nation's Economic Committee for Latin |
| Gross National Product continues to top other Latin | | | | America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). |
| American countries. La Prensa, quotes figures from | | | | "The $1.8 billion USD Panama received in foreign |
| the United Nations' Economic Committee for Latin | | | | investment in 2007 represents 10.5 percent of the |
| America and the Caribbean in a May 5, 2008 article. | | | | country's GDP. That figure puts Panama ahead of |
| The country does well for a small country in foreign | | | | such countries as Brazil, Mexico and Chile, although |
| investment. This high level of foreign investment is an | | | | those [larger] nations lead the rankings in absolute |
| indication of Panama's economy and growth potential. | | | | terms. |
| Potential real estate investors can take notice of the | | | | "The important thing is to see where that investment is |
| continuing growth and development. | | | | going. If it's in new businesses, it's going to generate |
| Panama is a tropical country of 3.3 million connecting | | | | more work and greater use of our natural resources, |
| North and South America. Panama has a unique | | | | which is good news," said Rolando Gordon, a |
| combination of untouched natural resources and a | | | | professor on the economics faculty at the Universidad |
| developed infrastructure. It is in the midst of an | | | | de Panama. "We need a transfer of technology, which |
| economic boom. As the site of the Panama Canal, the | | | | creates jobs and makes use of national inputs for |
| isthmus sits astride a major world trade route. | | | | production," Gordon added. If those elements are in |
| Panama's strong service sector includes the operation | | | | place, they "support the economic development of the |
| of the Canal, many international and local banks, the | | | | country." |
| Colon Free Zone, a strong insurance industry, container | | | | Panamanian Real Estate Investment |
| ports, flagship registry, and tourism. | | | | Investment in Panama real estate, especially |
| Panama Real Estate | | | | commercial property, has paid handsome returns over |
| Over the last ten years a flood of North American's | | | | the last ten years. With financial difficulties throughout |
| has come to Panama to visit, buy second homes, and | | | | the world Panama remains a growth opportunity. The |
| or retire. The low cost of real estate in Panama as | | | | banking community is Panama has and remains fairly |
| well as Panama's mature service sector, and | | | | conservative so there is no "sub prime" crisis in this |
| Panama's great natural beauty have attracted | | | | republic. |
| property buyers and investors. Panama's easy | | | | In addition, Panama's thriving economy is not upon |
| residency requirements have encouraged many to live | | | | North American retirees. A much large portion of the |
| in Panama full time. | | | | housing boom is based upon Panama's increasing |
| The large number of North Americans, wealthy by | | | | prosperity and a farsighted government approach of |
| Panamanian standards, has helped fuel Panama's | | | | subsidizing low cost mortgages getting more and more |
| housing boom, including the many high rises that line the | | | | Panamanians into their own homes. |
| Bay of Panama in Panama City. For those interested | | | | Commercial real estate is especially attractive as |
| in investing in Panama, especially real estate, a look at | | | | commercial property does not have rent controls such |
| foreign investment figures is encouraging. | | | | as low cost apartments do. Also, commercial real |
| A May 5, 2008 article in La Prensa, Panama, states | | | | estate ties more closely into Panama's thriving |
| that, "Foreign investment as percentage of GDP [in | | | | economy than does the "retirement" housing market. |
| Panama] is high. For the second consecutive year, | | | | Panama's ranking in foreign investment is a good clue |
| Panama ranked first in foreign investment in Latin | | | | that the country will continue to grow and that real |
| America in relation to its gross domestic product | | | | estate investment will continue to prosper. |
| (GDP), according to a report published yesterday by | | | | |