Companies in the real estate, energy and finance sectors, up to May 2012, have been working towards raising capital through the Panama Stock Exchange.
Inmobiliaria Don Antonio (commercial sector, $100 million), Hydro CAISAN (energy) and Allied Factoring (finance, $50 million) are at the top of the list of issuers that have registered deals with the Superintendency of Securities of Panama, which added together total $280 million in corporate bonds.
The Panamanian supermarket chain issued two series of mortgage-backed bonds, for $10.4 million.
The objective was to obtain financing for expanding their operations, at a lower cost than bank loans. The market bought all of the first two series of bonds, demanding 5% for three year and 6% to for seven year debt.
"This issue, bought by Panamanian investors, represents the first 20% of $50 million to be issued", reported Prensa.com.
Restrictions on credit are affecting the development of Panamanian hydroelectric plant construction projects.
In Panama, the current 1,632 megawatt supply of electricity covers current demand with very little to spare, reason for which it seeks to increase supply by 47.4% for 2012.
Currently, there are projects in the stages of final analysis and construction for $2.264 billion, which would provide 996 megawatts to the country’s electrical system.