On behalf of the staff of USAID/Panama, I would like to welcome you to our website.
We are pleased to provide you with information on USAID programs and achievements in Panama. Ongoing programs include activities in anti-corruption and transparency, protecting the Panama Canal Watershed, eco-tourism, trade capacity building, and community development. Geographically, ongoing activities are being carried out throughout Panama with an emphasis on the Panama Canal Watershed and the Darien province. The latter is the largest and poorest province in Panama with the weakest infrastructure.
Panama can be described as a tale of two countries. It has a $17 billion/year services-based economy with per capita income of $5,300 which is the 5th highest in Latin America and the highest in Central America. However, it also has a 37% poverty rate, 6.4% unemployment, and the Hemisphere’s 2nd worst income distribution. This dichotomy lies at the heart of many of the challenges facing the country.
The success of our programs and activities occurs because of the efforts of our dedicated staff, implementing partners, and counterparts. We are fortunate that both the public and private sectors are heavily involved in all program activities, have bought into and “own” ongoing activities. Our portfolio puts a premium on private-public partnerships as well as the leveraging of our resources.
We hope that this site will answer many of your questions about USAID/Panama and look forward to receiving your comments at usaid-panamainfo@usaid.gov
