After over two decades of record high growth, Panama is facing a sharp economic contraction following months of pandemic-related lockdowns. With support from the IMF, the government is combating the economic shock, but with a second wave of contagion potentially underway, the country is using the precautionary liquidity line as an insurance policy against new shocks.
Qualifying for the precautionary line requires sound economic fundamentals and institutional policy frameworks, and a good track record of economic performance. IMF Country Focus spoke with ALEJANDRO SANTOS, about the country’s outlook.
IMF COUNTRY FOCUS: How has the pandemic affected Panama?
ALEJANDRO SANTOS: Panama was severely affected. Being a regional trade, transportation, and finance hub highly integrated into the world economy, Panama was hit hard by the global downturn. Ship traffic through the Panama Canal dropped by about 10 per cent and use of electricity by some 7 per cent in 2020.
At the same time, health and social spending pressures surged. Panama has one of the highest COVID-19 fatality rates in the world, despite having a relatively good healthcare system. Nationwide lockdowns were enforced, but the rates of contagion remain high, particularly around Panama City, a densely populated area. This has affected economic activity, with output dropping by an estimated 9 per cent in 2020. Tax revenues—already well below the regional average—have also fallen, resulting in a widening fiscal deficit and an increase in public debt.
ICF: Why choose a precautionary credit line?
AS: It is an insurance policy against risks and can help boost investor confidence. A second wave of COVID-19 could trigger a deeper recession and lead to disruptions in private capital flows, putting further pressure on public finances. If such a crisis were to materialize, Panama could tap the line for liquidity. A country must have sound fundamentals and policies to qualify for a precautionary credit line. This sends an important signal to markets.
ICF: What are the top policy priorities and how does this arrangement support them?
AS: The country is focused on getting through the pandemic. The immediate priorities are facilitating vaccination; supporting an adequate level of social and health spending; continuing to strengthen institutional policy frameworks, like financial integrity and data adequacy; and preparing the economy for a post-pandemic recovery. By boosting market confidence and providing protection against risks, the precautionary line can help the country weather the crisis and lay the groundwork for recovery.
ICF: Panama has had many IMF programmes in the past. What was achieved and how is Panama different today?
AS: Panama has had 20 IMF programmes, two-thirds of them precautionary. These programmes have been used to advance the governments’ reform agendas. Measures taken included reinforcing expenditure controls, strengthening revenue collection, privatizing enterprises, improving financial supervision, combating money laundering, and establishing targeted transfer programmes to reduce poverty. As a result of these reforms, the economy grew at an average rate of 6 per cent between 1992 and 2019—the fastest in region— and achieved the highest per capita income in Latin America.
ICF: Does the programme include any measures to help Panama exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list?
AS: The country agreed on an action plan with FATF, which provides a roadmap for addressing weaknesses related to financial integrity. The authorities have hired highly qualified international experts on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism to guide their de-listing process and ensure adherence to the highest international standards. The IMF is helping by providing technical assistance in this area.
- Santos is IMF mission chief for Panama.
