Panama Investor Blog

Sam's tips on residential project marketing

2009-11-15T23:21:56-05:00

This post is part important marketing information and part shameless self promotion, both of my genius at web design, copy-writing and marketing and to get your eyeballs on my projects new website. I have struggled over the years with getting...

Tax (in)Justice Network says Panama is "a grubby little tax haven"

2009-11-12T13:23:39-05:00

Several U.S. advocacy groups are climbing on the band wagon to try force Panama to become more compliant in their tax information exchange. The have names such as "Tax Justice Network" and "Public Citizen", names which would indicate they are...

Panama #1 on Sore Butt Index

2009-11-12T12:26:45-05:00

Although this may initially look like a put down of Panama it is actually a very positive aspect of the country. Were not talking about Panama being a pain in the ass, although many would argue that it is, were...

Panama make Forbes top 10 retirement haven hit list

2009-11-12T12:14:59-05:00

Although much of what I post deals with economic issues and their affect on business, the fact is for those looking for quality of life and low cost of living, no place can beat Panama for retirement IMO. Forbes came...

An alarming commentary in The Wall Street Journal

2009-11-12T11:00:30-05:00

Although this does not directly affect Panama yet, it is of such importance that I wanted to share it with my readers. Bob Bauman wrote a great overview of what is going on in his Offshore Blog. Excerpt: Americans (and...

Los Faros non-progress report

2009-11-11T08:37:04-05:00

The $600 million mega project, Los Faros was announced back in 2006 with much fanfare and held up as additional proof that Panama was the choice of major project developers from around the world. With over 2000 apartments and a...

Panama shipyards down 25%

2009-11-10T14:16:28-05:00

One would think that with fewer ships being used worldwide the demand for repairs of those in operation would be higher, but as this story points out, ship owners just don't have the money to repair their vessels. Wilfredo S....

Panama Debt Rating Raised to Positive by S&P

2009-11-10T14:08:54-05:00

Panama’s credit-rating outlook was raised to positive by Standard & Poor’s, putting the Central American country on the cusp of an investment-grade rating, as tax increases and faster economic growth help keep the budget deficit in check. Read the rest...

Deep sea aquaculture startup in Panama prepares for harvest

2009-11-10T13:55:23-05:00

I have posted on this company before because I find it fascinating that a sport fish can be farm grown in deep water. The fact that it is being accomplished here in Panama makes it even better, Interesting read from...

Flat Tax back on track

2009-11-10T09:23:13-05:00

I am very happy to see that the government still plans on implementing the flat tax system. This will be a big boon to business and a simplification of the existing and confusing tax system currently in place. La Prensa...

The End of the World

2009-11-09T10:20:24-05:00

A reader sent me this article on Dubai world and the sad story of the bust of one of the grandiose residential real estate projects of all time. Read the complete story at Time.com Depending on your point of view,...

Cleaning up Panama's financial reputation-The Economist

2009-11-01T18:06:03-05:00

The Economist weighs in on the OECD issue in a "fair and balanced" way, pointing out the main issues and the argument Panama puts forth in order to maintain its sovereignty. Key excerpt: Mr Martinelli cannot be seen as buckling...

Putting coffee beans into perspective

2009-11-01T18:00:06-05:00

I have always been fascinated by comparing the relative size of things from the infinitesimal to the universe. Here is a most interesting journey you can take in 10 seconds that puts some things into perspective starting with the humble...

Noose to tighten on U.S. citizens with foreign bank accounts

2009-10-31T16:52:38-05:00

The Obama administration is making it clear that they will do everything they can to keep money from the leaving the country and this latest maneuver may just end the ability for U.S. citizens to use offshore bank accounts entirely....

Dirty Diamonds in Panama?

2009-10-31T15:00:23-05:00

Last month I posted several articles from the local press praising the opening of a new diamond center here in Panama. On the surface it looks like another good thing to come to the country, but according to an article...

Credit drives construction

2009-10-31T08:17:48-05:00

Construction continues to grow in Panama mostly due to the increase spending on public housing and infrastructure projects by the state according to La Prensa. La Prensa Domestic credit to private sector amounted to 21 thousand 559 million dollars by...

Cero Punta, the toxic capital of Panama

2009-10-31T08:13:07-05:00

It is unfortunate that one of the most beautiful areas of the country is also one of the most toxic according to this article in La Prensa. " "In Cerro Punta people bathe daily with pesticides, exposing themselves to risk...

Ministry promises "fair" prices for ROP land

2009-10-30T16:27:35-05:00

The battle over ROP land along coastal areas has heated up as many gathered at the ministry yesterday to air their concerns about the new law. Although there are many details involved, the bottom line for the state is money...

Panama education ranked near the bottom in Latin America

2009-10-29T08:56:50-05:00

Panama spends a great deal of its budget on health and education, but unfortunately it does not pay off. This was made acutely aware by a recent study by UNESCO. Panama ranked 8th out of 11 countries evaluated. Who is...

$1000 makes a $100,000 tax bill disappear

2009-10-29T08:40:16-05:00

Such a deal! For those of us who live in Panama, stories such as these come as no surprise and most of the populace just accept it as the way things are. From La Prensa The lack of controls to...