| Panama has international credibility. It's easy to | | | | Chile. Panama City is first in Central America, 12 |
| make a statement like that and then talk about all | | | | places above San Jose, Costa Rica. |
| the qualities of a place in glowing terms and not | | | | With an index of 91.4, Panama City is the third |
| really make any specific quantitative claims that | | | | safest city in Latin America, only behind San Juan, |
| can be pinned down. But the proof is on the | | | | Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo, Dominican |
| pudding, or rather in the evidence. In the case of | | | | Republic according to a report by International |
| the Republic of Panama, it is easy to make the | | | | Scope. |
| claim and easy to back it up. | | | | With an 8% increase in GDP, Panama was the |
| One of the things that I think speaks volumes to | | | | leader in economic growth in Latin America during |
| this idea is the consistent inflow of foreign | | | | 2008. Much of this due to the fact that Panama |
| investment capital. In another of my articles, I | | | | has a US dollar-based economy, low inflation and |
| discuss the details of how and why foreign capital | | | | little foreign exchange risk, an absence of |
| flows into Panama. I think an investment of $6.2B | | | | exchange controls, favorable and equal tax |
| (US) by U.S. companies alone in 2007 is strong | | | | treatment of foreign and local citizens. |
| proof of credibility. | | | | Panama has a stable Constitutional government |
| Mercer Multinational Consultants reported on | | | | with a keen understanding of its reliance on |
| quality of life and personal safety in 215 cities | | | | international trade. The Economic Freedom Index |
| worldwide. Panama City, the national capital, was | | | | for 2009, a joint publication of The Heritage |
| ranked 96th, which places it above all other | | | | Foundation and the Wall Street Journal, ranked |
| Central American cities. Mercer created these | | | | Panama 55th of 157 countries. Citizens and |
| ranking by analyzing social, political and economic | | | | expatriates alike have freedom to make their |
| environment, health, education and transportation | | | | own decisions for their benefit and for the benefit |
| factors for each city. | | | | of their families. |
| A major consideration in making the choice to do | | | | You may argue that some of these are not |
| business in Panama is quality of life. Panama City is | | | | indications of 'credibility' per se, but they are |
| cosmopolitan and offers excellent living conditions. | | | | certainly evidence that something special is going |
| Office, commercial, industrial and housing spaces | | | | on here in Panama; something worthy of |
| are available, as are skilled, multilingual employees. | | | | international attention. Something worthy of your |
| Panama City is 5th in Latin America behind San | | | | attention. |
| Juan, Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Santiago de | | | | |