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Panama

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Submitted By bpendleton1
Words 1458
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Kristal Steward
BUSA 3000 International Business
October 27, 2013

Panama is located between Colombia and Costa Rica in Central America. Panama is literally a land bridge between North and South America, and its territorial size is slightly smaller than North Carolina. Panama has a population of approximately 3,608,431 people. 70 percent are Mestizo (Mixed Amerindian and white), 14 percent Amerindian and mixed (West Indian), 10 percent White, and 6 percent Amerindian. Panama has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America. The president of Panama is Ricardo Martinelli and has a constitutional democracy as its political system. The Civil law system is Panama’s form of law, and the Democratic Change is the political party in power. Founded in the World Fact Book, major products that are exported are gold, bananas, shrimp sugar, iron, steel waste, pineapples, and watermelons and the top exporters are the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Netherlands, Sweden and China. The major imports are fuel products, medicines, vehicles, iron & steel rods, and cellular phones. The major countries imported are United States, China, Costa Rico, and Mexico. The Panama’s currency is the Panamanian Balboa (PAB) and the currency is freely exchanged. (The World Fact Book)
Panama was discovered by the Spanish in the 16th century, and moved from Spain in 1821 and joined the Republic of Gran Colombia - which included Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. With help from the United States, Panama seceded from Colombia and signed a treaty with the United States allowing for the construction of the Panama Canal, and US sovereignty over a strip of land on any side of the structure. The project that started in 2007, and could double the capacity of the Canal, is to be completed in 2015. (The World Facts Book)

According to BBC News, “Lying at the crossroads of the North and South American continents and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Panama is of immense strategic importance.” Panama is famous for the Panama Canal. Every year, 15,000 ships travel through this waterway, which makes an immense contribution to this country’s economy. Since the canal is expanding, it is able to handle more vessels. Good opportunities exist for U.S companies to invest in Panama because of the Panama Canal expansion, its booming economy, and because of tourism opportunities in the region.
In Panama’s economy, the GDP is based off of the service sector. In Export. Gov, “Services include the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, and flagship registry”. With this expansion project at hand, it will strengthen Panama’s global advantage in the Western Hemisphere. Also, Panama is very important to the U.S. with trading, with 30 percent of the imports received. The Colon Free Zone is the vital trading center serving the region and the world. The CFZ imports electronic products, clothing, that arrive all around the world to be resold, repackaged and reshipped to regional markets. Using the Canal is more effective than going around the tip of South America, saving a great deal of money. Also, the Canal keeps the cost of imported goods down. With the expansion of the canal, a third lane will be produced. The Panama Canal expansion will be more cost effective, even though it will still take longer, and it will probably be used by commodities exporters that are more concerned with cost than time. Stated in the 2013 Investment Climate Statement, “The Panama Canal Authority expects to complete the $5.25 billion expansion project of the Panama Canal in 2015. The project entails building a larger third set of locks, excavating new access channels, deepening Lake Gatun, improving navigational channels, and dredging the canal entrances. In addition to the expansion project, the Panama Canal Authority procures over $200 million in goods and services annually for its daily operations and maintenance.”
Another reason why U.S companies should invest in Panama is because of their booming economy. Stated in Wall Street Journal, “With the expansion of the Panama Canal, set to be completed by next year, the government has been able to boost public investment, which is helping drive the faster levels of economic growth”. In Panama, there is consistent GPD increases, low employment and banks with high levels of liquity. In the Investment Climate, “Panama continues to enjoy the strongest economic growth in Latin America. It benefits from stable and consistent economic policies and a government that consistently supports trade and open markets. In 2013, the economy is expected to continue to be one of the fastest growing in the world with predicted growth of 7.5% following expansion of 10.6% in 2012, and 10.5% in 2011”. Panama is also political stable. The country is protected by the United States. Its inflation level is maintained at 2 percent, and it’s easy to process to develop tourism projects with tax exemptions.
Finally, Panama is a great place to invest in because of its tourism opportunities. In Viva Tropical article, “As more and more visitors flock to Panama each year, the United States government has been increasingly intentional about encouraging Panama tourism investment. Panama is a country that welcomes foreigners, whether for the short or the long term. Its hassle-free visa options have made it a haven for expats. Its business-friendly tax laws have made it a great opportunity for investors.
Now with its recent piece of legislation, Law 481, Panama is creating a win-win for everyone. Law 481 is a bill that is designed to create incentives for those who wish to invest in tourism operations in specific areas, namely those outside of Panama City. As tourism developments crop up in remote areas, there are many groups who stand to benefit”. Also Panama passed Law No. 8 where if you spend $50,000 in a tourism project, there are huge tax benefits. The Viva Tropical explains, “The benefits include: * A 20-year exemption of any import taxes due on materials, furniture, equipment, and vehicles * A 20-year exemption real estate taxes for all assets of the enterprise * An exemption from any tax levied for the use of airports and piers * Accelerated depreciation for real estate assets of 10% per year.”
The law covers on lodging facilities like hotels, cabins, and time-shares, as long as it is used for tourism. With these benefits given, these will attract companies and potential investors. With these laws made, it’s a win for everyone involved.
In conclusion, Panama is a great country to for the U.S. to do business in. The first evidence is that the expansion of the Panama Canal will strengthen Panama’s global advantage in the Western Hemisphere. It keeps the cost of imports down, and the Canal serves a huge importance with the economy. Then, the second evidence is the booming economy. It is economical stable, the inflation level is always maintained, and Panama currency is equivalent to United States. Also, Panama is politically stable since it is protected by the United States. Panama is also the fastest growing economy. The last evidence is the tourism opportunities. United States have been encouraging investment tourism. Law 481 and Law 8 brings incentives to potential investors in tourism, and can open doors to new doors for Panama’s expansion. In Central America, Panama is known for its stability and its world famous Canal. As an outcome, Panama is successful economically and politically in the region.

Works Cited
"Panama Profile." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19888936>.
"The World Fact Book." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2014. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pm.html>.
"Export.gov - Panama Overview." Export.gov - Panama Overview. N.p., 21 Mar. 2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2014. <http://export.gov/trademissions/panamacolombiasecurity/eg_main_071936.asp>.
Amadeo, Kimberly. "How the Panama Canal Expansion Will Lower the Cost of Groceries." Panama Canal Expansion Impact on U.S. Economy. N.p., 11 Apr. 2014. Web. 23 Oct. 2014. <http://useconomy.about.com/od/tradepolicy/p/Panama-Canal-Expansion-Impact-On-U-S-Economy.htm>.
"2013 Investment Climate Statement - Panama." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2014. <http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2013/204711.htm>.
Crowe, Darcy. "Panama's Economy to Extend Strong Growth in 2013." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 16 Mar. 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2014. <http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324532004578364710313021902>.
Park. "Panama Tourism Investment Encouraged with Law 481." Viva Tropical. N.p., 18 June 2013. Web. 25 Oct. 2014. <http://vivatropical.com/panama/panama-tourism-investment/>.

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