Banks are strong

“Panama does not live isolated from the international economic problems, but the banking center is experiencing its best times and will be able to face a crisis,” said Torrijos.

“We have a coherent economic policy in this country,” he added when referring to the good management of the State budget that allows the country to be included in the reports of the international finance organisms that are forecasting that Panama will have the biggest economic growth in Latin America by 2009.

“That does not mean that we do not have to be cautious with the management of public finances. They have to be handled with seriousness and in a transparent manner,” he said. He added that within the Panamanian banking organizations are showing the strength that will allow them to face a crisis.