Participants:
Panama’s economy grew by an impressive 10.6% in 2011, and on average over the past decade at about 8%. According to government estimates, there will be 10% and 8% gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2012 and 2013, respectively. The International Monetary Fund predicts a more conservative GDP growth for this year, but has recently upgraded its initial 7.5% forecast to 8.5%. Furthermore, in July, rating agency Standard & Poor’s moved Panama further up the investment grade spectrum, by giving it a BBB rating – something that Fitch had already done in 2011.
