Panama Cityruns on a handful of strong industries. If you’re job-hunting or weighing a move, here’s where the opportunities (and the big-name employers) are.
Top industries & employers
Banking & financial services
Banco General, Banistmo, Global Bank, international private banks
Panama has long been a regional banking centre, with a large offshore and private-banking sector concentrated in the Área Bancaria.
Logistics & the Canal
Panama Canal Authority, Maersk, MSC, Colón Free Zone operators
The Canal and the Colón Free Zone make Panama the logistics hub of the Americas, and the single largest driver of the economy.
Regional headquarters
Copa Airlines, Dell, Procter & Gamble, Maersk regional offices
The SEM multinational-headquarters regime offers tax and immigration incentives, and has drawn a genuine cluster of Latin American regional offices.
Legal & corporate services
Major Panamanian law firms, corporate service providers
A large professional-services sector built around company formation, shipping registration and cross-border structuring.
Real estate & construction
Domestic developers, international investors
The skyline is the visible result — residential and commercial development is a major employer and a common route to residency.
Tourism & retirement services
Hospitality groups, relocation and retirement advisers
Panama actively courts retirees through the pensionado programme, and an entire service industry exists around it.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.