Panama GDP growth expected to slow to 2.5% in 2024 on First Quantum mine closure, IMF says

(Reuters) – Panama’s economy is expected to see growth slow in 2024 to 2.5%, from 7.5% in the previous year, as a result of the closure of First Quantum Minerals’ lucrative copper mine in the country, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Monday.

Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to gradually improve over the medium term, but the mine’s closure does entail the permanent loss of about 0.6% of GDP in fiscal revenues and 7.5% of exports of goods and services, the IMF said.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; editing by Gabriel Araujo)