Panama will grow 5.9% this year, according to ECLAC

THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN (ECLAC) 
ESTIMATES THAT THE PANAMANIAN ECONOMY WILL GROW 5.9% IN 2015, EVEN IF
THE AUTHORITIES ESTIMATE 6.0%

After Panama, countries such as Bolivia, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, 
with growth of 5%, followed by Paraguay (4.2%), Peru (4.2%) and Guatemala (4%). 
The non-financial public sector (NFPS) is expected to post a deficit of around 
2.0% of GDP at the end of the year, significantly lower than the 4.6% deficit 
at the end of the previous year. ECLAC revised down its own projections for 
the entire continent, which will grow at the end of the year 1%, less than 
the 2.2% projected previously. The construction sector will continue to be 
one of the most dynamic, boosted by the start of mega infrastructure projects,
 such as the construction of the second metro line. A deficit of 10.2% is 
expected in the current account of the balance of payments, somewhat lower
 than the projected at the end of this year due to a certain rebound in the
 re-exports of the Colon Free Zone. "This review reflects a global environment
 characterized by less-than-expected economic dynamics at the end of 2014.
 With the exception of the United States, growth projections have been revised
 downward in the industrialized countries and emerging economies are 
continuing to slow" , The United Nations agency said in a statement. 
If ECLAC's new estimates are met, the regional economy will maintain a 
level of growth similar to that of last year (1.1%)