President José Raúl Mulino opened his usual Thursday conference by speaking about what most concerns Panamanians today: the economy. He assured that Panama will close 2025 meeting the 4% deficit target, a reduction of 3.5 percentage points in a year “that cost sweat, struggle, and tough decisions.” Mulino highlighted that, despite negative predictions, Panama maintained its investment grade, a fact recognized by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, and that according to the International Monetary Fund, the country's growth will be more than double the continental average. “It has been incredibly tough, but we achieved it without cheap populism. We are regaining investor confidence, and that brings opportunities to the people,” he stated. The president thanked Minister Felipe Chapman, whom he described as the man who “took the problem upon himself and set the house in order.”
National Pride: Ángel Cortés Shines at the Bolivarian Games
At the start of the usual Thursday conference, Mulino applauded Ángel Cortés for winning a gold medal in the 20th Bolivarian Games in Ayacucho, Lima. He also congratulated the other Panamanian athletes for bringing the country high honors.
Panama to Head the OAS Cadastre Network
Mulino also recalled Panama's historic achievement: the country was chosen to preside in 2026 over the Inter-American Cadastre and Property Registration Network of the OAS, the most important hemispheric space in territorial administration.
IFARHU: Collection, Moratorium, and Money Returning to Students
On the other hand, the head of state detailed that regarding IFARHU, between June and October, the institution recovered $605,542 in delinquent loans: 359 Panamanians got up to date, 253 through an administrative process and 106 through a judicial process. There are 34 days left to take advantage of a moratorium with an 80% waiver of delinquent interest.
Chiriquí on the Agenda: Entrepreneurship, Security, and Health
The president announced that he will continue to work in Chiriquí, inaugurating the Entrepreneur's Space in David, accompanied by a $100 million soft financing program with Caja de Ahorros. He will also open the Specialized Rodrigo Hidalgo Police within the CSS in David. Regarding the City of Health, he clarified that Dr. Marcos John has taken over the operational coordination and that internal audits have already begun to correct failures and sanction those responsible.
New Houses and Reactivated Projects in the Interior
The government will deliver 130 new houses in David, Bugaba, Renacimiento, Barú, Boquete, and Boquerón. Additionally, the wastewater treatment project in David has been reactivated, which will benefit 200,000 people, thanks to the support of the Inter-American Development Bank.
