Panama's MICI monitors 401 businesses following earthquake

Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) has launched a monitoring process for 401 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to assess the impact of the October 9 earthquake. Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the initiative aims to identify operational damages, understand business needs, and provide guidance to ensure economic continuity and job protection.

The monitoring targets companies participating in the Mujer Exporta, Agroindustria Competitiva, and Pymexport programs. Of the 401 businesses, 312 are located in the central provinces of Coclé, Herrera, Los Santos, and Veraguas, while 89 are in Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro.

To facilitate the assessment, MICI is utilizing a business monitoring system that integrates geographic visualization tools and data from the European Copernicus program. This allows officials to map business locations against the most affected seismic zones. Minister Julio Moltó emphasized that while humanitarian aid is a priority, supporting the productive sector is essential for the country’s economic recovery.