Panama - Uongozi Index Uchumi

The IMAE economic activity index of Panama advanced 3.98 percent year-on-year in September 2019, accelerating from a 3.20 percent expansion in the previous month. It was the strongest growth in economic activity since April last year, boosted by trade; transport, storage & communications; financial services; public administration; primary activity; construction; utilities; mining and domestic services. Considering the first nine months of the year, economic activity advanced 3.25 percent compared to the same period 2018.

The IMAE economic activity index of Panama advanced 3.20 percent year-on-year in August 2019, slowing from a 3.63 percent expansion in the previous month. Growth was boosted by transport, storage & communications; financial services; public administration; primary activity, construction, utilities, and mining. In contrast, a slowdown in trade was driven by lower activity in the Zona Libre de Colon region. Considering the first eight months of the year, economic activity advanced 3.16 percent, compared to 3.09 percent in the same period of last year.

The IMAE economic activity index of Panama increased 3.63 percent year-on-year in July 2019, following a 2.95 percent rise in the previous month. It was the strongest expansion in the economic activity in five months, driven by the primary sector; transport, storage & communications; financial services; public administration; mining; construction, and utilities. In contrast, retail and restaurant & hotel services grew at softer rates. In the seven months of the year, economic activity advanced 3.16 percent compared to 3.04 percent in the same period of last year.

The IMAE economic activity index of Panama increased 2.95 percent year-on-year in June 2019, up from a 2.38 percent rise in the previous month. Main positive contributions came from transport, storage & communications; financial services; public administration; mining; agriculture; and utilities. In the first half of the year, economic activity advanced 3.08 percent compared to 3.21 percent in the same period of last year.

The economy of Panama advanced 2.38 percent year-on-year in May 2019, easing from a 2.94 percent expansion in the previous month. It was the weakest growth in economic activity since July last year, amid a slowdown in construction, mining, real estate, trade and restaurants & hotels. In the first five months of 2019, economic activity expanded 3.11 percent, compared to 3.29 percent in the same period of last year.

The economy of Panama advanced 2.94 percent year-on-year in March 2019, edging down from a 2.96 percent expansion in the previous month. Growth was mainly boosted by transport and communications, mostly in Panama Canal; utilities driven by thermal energy and natural gas; public administration and financial intermediation.