Investing in Panama - International Credibility

Panama has long had a open doors policy towards foreign investment and aggregate foreign direct investments during the period 1996-2001 reached approximately US$3.5 billion, a significant amount, despite the economic crisis experienced during 2000-2002.

Panama has long provided several important incentives for foreign investors, including 

• US dollar-based economy
• Low inflation and zero foreign exchange risk
• Total absence of exchange controls
• Equal treatment of foreign and local citizens
• One of the most flexible company laws in the world
• No restrictions on 100 per cent foreign-owned companies
• No restrictions on mergers, acquisitions or joint ventures
• Excellent tax holidays for specific investments in sectors such as tourism, maritime, real estate, mining,
• Colon Free Zone, exports and others
• High percentage of labor force is bilingual
• Panama has been ranked first in the region for low cost of living, operational cost and index of labor by the Tripartite Committee, which consists of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB).

Panama has full coverage from OPIC, MIGA, IDB and other multilateral entities.

Political Risk Services (PRS) placed Panama in the top three countries of the hemisphere with the best risk-investment qualifications. Moody's and Standard & Poors have both granted high ranking to Panamanian bonds.

The above article was extracted from BusinessPanama.com.

Other Articles:

• Panama Biggest Airport Ready to Be Expanded
• Investment Opportunities in Panama
• The Expansion of Panama's Economy and Canal
• New Road Construction Should Relieve Traffic Congestion
• Super Road Trip to the Azuero Peninsula
• Relocating Abroad: Ahhhh!
• Penonome: A Town on the Rise
• A True Sophisticated Traveler I am Not
• A Booming Panama City Awaits Noriega's Return
• Making it to Panama
• Don't Drink The Lemonade
• Experiencing the Panamanian Carnival
• Azuero Peninsula Story
• A Panamanian New Years for Dummies
• IDB approves US$30M Panama loan
• Clayton - Panama Realtor's Pick of the Quarter
• Are People Happier in Panama?
• Crime in Panama
• Helpful Guidelines When Hiring Domestic Help in Panama
• Common types of Residency Visas in Panama
• Beyond the canal: Discovering Panama
• Getting Integrated to Life in Panama
• English Speaking Schools in Panama
• What they don't tell you about Living in Panama
• Panama Calling to Preserve Its Edens
• S&P raises Panama outlook to 'stable'
• A Crowded Field of Contenders Vying to Be 'The Next Costa Rica'
• Beauty and Tax Breaks Lure Buyers to Panama
• Why Panama and the Pearl Islands are Such Ideal Places to Invest and Retire
• Investing in Panama - International Credibility