Panama Business & Economy News

  Chiquita to  export 11million boxes of bananas after Panama operations resume Chiquita expects to export 11mn boxes of bananas from Bocas del Toro in the coming months following the resumption of operations in the province after last year’s strike. The multinational has projected a shipment volume of almost 15mn boxes for the coming year. Source: EuroFrut The announcement was made during a tour of one of the farms in the province by Chiquita CEO Carlos López Flores; Panamanian president José Raúl Mulino; minister of commerce and industries, Julio Moltó; and agricultural development minister, Roberto Linares. During the visit, officials had the chance to experience operations at the 200ha plantation, which is one of 20 farms currently in production. There are approximately 5,000 productive hectares in Bocas del Toro generating around 6,000 direct jobs, depending on production levels. Mulino noted that the industry’s reactivation represents an opportunity for the Boc...

  BigBear.ai and International Shipping Compliance (ISC) Announce First Deployment of AI-Powered Supply Chain Security Platform in Panama’s Dry Canal BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI), a specialized defense technology company providing mission-ready AI for national security and trade & travel customers, announced that PTG (Panama Transshipment Group), the country’s largest logistics operator, has signed a commercial agreement to be the first to deploy a new AI-powered cargo security management solution – the International Shipping Compliance application – developed by BigBear.ai and Narval. PTG is already using the technology to increase supply chain transparency. Source: Business Wire “Securing the global supply chain requires innovation, trust, and the ability to verify each handoff along the way,” said Kevin McAleenan, CEO, BigBear.ai. Narval Holding Corp. and its subsidiary, International Shipping Compliance S.A. (ISC), launched the International Shipping Compliance application with ...

  Cibest Group Completes Sale of Banistmo and Makes Panama its Regional Financial Platform Banistmo was acquired by Banco La Hipotecaria, a subsidiary of Inversiones Cuscatlán Centroamérica, which paid Cibest Group approximately US$1.418 billion. In the Central American country, the Colombian group serves more than 33,800 clients and manages assets of nearly US$9.5 billion. Source: Bllomberg Cibest Group, parent company of Bancolombia, officially announced the closing of the sale of Banistmo this Tuesday. This transaction, announced in December 2025, marks a new chapter in the internationalization strategy of the Colombian financial conglomerate. The transaction leaves Banistmo under the control of Inversiones Cuscatlán and, at the same time, redefines the group's presence in Panama as a regional hub for its banking, investment, and capital markets businesses, according to its executives. In a statement to the market, through relevant information from the Financial Superi...

  S&P Global Ratings Raises Bladex's Long-Term Rating to BBB+ with a Stable Outlook Bladex serves banks and large corporations across the Americas. Founded in Panama in 1977 with the backing of 23 central banks and the participation of other institutions, its mission is to promote regional foreign trade. Source: EFE S&P Global Ratings raised Bladex's long-term global scale credit rating from 'BBB' to 'BBB+' with a stable outlook, based on the bank's strong asset quality and capitalization, as well as its diversified portfolio, among other factors, the Panama-based bank announced Monday. S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed Bladex's short-term rating at 'A-2', upgraded the bank's senior unsecured notes to 'BBB+', and its hybrid primary capital (AT1) notes to 'BB'. In its report, the agency explains that the rating upgrade reflects the strength of Bladex's risk profile, underpinned by the resilience of its business mode...

  BAC Panama Completes Operational Merger with Multibank BAC Panama has completed its operational merger with Multibank, marking the beginning of a new era for its clients, employees, and the country. Following authorization from the Superintendency of Banks of Panama, both banks now operate as a single entity, after completing the integration process. Source: Destino Panamá (Panama Business Economy News). With combined assets exceeding $45 billion and a loan portfolio surpassing $32 billion, BAC Panama is positioned as the leading bank in the region in terms of asset and portfolio size. As a result of the merger, Panama expands its presence within BAC's regional network, representing approximately 31% of the group's loan portfolio and deposits, compared to 21% and 23%, respectively, within the organization. The entity is part of a regional financial platform with an investment-grade rating, management backed by a solid track record and rigorous standards of management and corp...