2009 uncertain for Panama
(Panama Star) The private sector is recommending to take measures to save jobs before the crisis hits.
However, the expectations for 2009 are different and it could be a mixed year for the national financial situation.
According to the National Employment director of the Ministry of Labor, Ernesto Fuentes, the forecast for 2009 appears to be stable, but he did not dismiss the possibility that the current global financial crisis could have a negative effect in Panama.
The last report of the General National Comptroller Office showed that up to August 2008 the unemployment index was around 5.6 percent. The document indicated that the construction, transport and communications sectors did well.
However private enterprise has another forecast.
The National Council of Private Enterprises president, Gaspar Garcia Paredes warned that it was imperative to take measures in order to be able to face the financial global crisis to minimize the effect it might have on the national economy.
