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Panama - DOING BUSINESS


Local business incentives


To obtain further information on the different aids and incentives concerning foreign investments, investors should contact the IPCE (Panamanian Institute of Foreign trade) depending on both the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of foreign affairs. Furthermore, procedures will differ depending on the place of setting-up. Indeed, the nature of the aid will be different whether the companies set up in free trade zones or not.


Legal forms of companies


Form Number of partners/shareholders Minimum and/or maximum capital Liability Registration fee Release of financial documents
Sociedad Anonima is a joint stock company   2 minimum. There is no requirement regarding the place of residence and nationality of the directors.   No minimum capital.   Liability is limited to the amount contributed.   They are based on the amount of the capital.
-USD 50 on the first USD100,000 .
-0.075 % from USD 10,000 to USD 100,000 for the next contributions.
-0.05 % from USD100,000 to USD1 million ;
-0.01 % above USD1 million.
  		Yes  


Registration and licensing procedures


Investors must to contact the Registro Publico de la Republica de Panam? (Public Registrar of the Republic of Panama) in order to register their company.



Foreign exchange control



Regulations concerning equity investment


A majority holding interest in the capital of a company in Panama is legal. However, foreign investors have to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Employment.  


FDI inflows in Panama




FDI inflows (millions US$) 2000 2001 2002 World rank
Foreign Direct Investments (F.D.I.) 99   792   1012   60 / 196
Sources : UNCTAD Database FDI/TNC


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Last modified in December 2003
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