The Panamanian Chamber of Construction (Capac) presented its analysis of the sector's performance in 2025 and the outlook for 2026, highlighting that the industry maintains a decisive weight in the economy — contributing close to 16% of GDP — but faces pressures from late state payments, the need for multisectoral coordination, and the challenge of sustaining housing demand.
The guild also projects that, if conditions are met, construction could grow by over 5% next year, driven by road infrastructure, housing, and industrial projects.
During a media encounter, the president of the guild, Alejandro Ferrer Solís, accompanied by the general manager, Antonio Docabo, explained that despite the slowdowns recorded at the beginning of 2025, the economy will show growth close to 4%, supported by total investment in construction exceeding US$ 6.3 billion between public and private works.
In parallel, the formal sector employs over 149,000 workers, equivalent to 8% of formal employment, and faces the challenge of increasing its productivity through technical training, trade certification, and greater digitalization.
Looking ahead to 2026, Capac sees opportunities in the modernization of the state apparatus, administrative digitalization, and strengthening of local supply chains. This is coupled with the need to expedite payments to contractors and suppliers, as delays pressure liquidity, hinder the start of new projects, and obstruct the completion of ongoing works.
On the private side, Ferrer pointed out that activity maintains moderate growth in residential, commercial, industrial, and tourism projects, supported by Law 481 of 2025 and the preferential interest program. These measures, along with a more efficient regulatory framework, could create better conditions for investment and sustain the sector's dynamism in the coming year.
However, he insisted that the timely recognition of tax credits to the banking sector is crucial to sustain mortgage lending and avoid distortions in the market.
The guild president also highlighted the progress of projects under the PPP model, such as the East Pan-American Highway —under construction since June— and the West Pan-American Highway —approaching its final tender phase—, which are key to improving mobility, competitiveness, and the regional economic performance.
