"According to the Comptroller General of the Republic, the behavior of the manufacturing industry, observed through its integrated indices of volume, price and value, showed that for January-December 2012, compared to the same period last year, there were increases in the order of 4.7%, 6.9% and 11.9%, respectively. Foods and beverages, and the manufacture of building materials were the most dynamic and at the same time rose the most in price and value," noted an article in Capital.com.pa.

According to Juan Francisco Kienner, president of the Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP), the 2013 started strongly in Panama because consumption is going well and the economy grows stronger, for which reason it is still one of the fastest growing economies in the region.

Source: Capital.com.pa

More on this topic

Panamanian Manufacturing Sector Recovers

March 2018

The performance of the activities of ready-mix concrete, milling products and alcoholic beverages explains the 2% growth registered by the sector in 2017, reversing the fall reported in 2016.

The Trade Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP) reported that last year the manufacturing sector's share of GDP was 5.2%, and that the activities which boosted the industry were ready-mix concrete, mill products, alcoholic beverages, animal feed preparations, cements and derivatives, and meats.

Panama: Industrial Outlook for 2016

January 2016

The union of industrialists projects that the economy will grow by 6% this year and has raised concern over the fall in manufacturing activity.

From a statement issued by the Union of Industrialists in Panama:

Panama will continue to lead economic growth in Latin America and it is estimated that it could close 2015 at 5.8%; while for 2016 the amount projected is 6%.

Panamanian Industry Grows by 5% in 2012

December 2012

The growth was led by the mining and power generation, while fishing records further stagnation.

Aida Ureña Maduro, president of the Union of Industrialists of Panama, said they expect to grow to 4.5% in 2013, below the rate of economic growth of the country and that a rebound will occur when they begin to take advantage of the opportunities created by the various trade agreements that have been signed.

Panama: Importation of raw materials increase 30%

December 2008

Imports for the first nine months of 2008 reached $1.2 billion, 30% more than for the same period last year.

Laestrella.com reports that "the manufacturing industry had a 4% growth, driven mainly by the development of agro-industrial products.

The report prepared by the Panama Industrial Union (SIP) points out that "this is the first time that the sector has surpassed the billion dollar mark for the import of raw materials, which is evidence of the sector's dynamism.