Software development, hardware manufacturing, and research and development in information technology are not currently well developed in the country.
Possibilities for Change in the Future
There are two trends that might change the lack production in these areas. First, the governments electronic initiatives seek to increase computer and Internet penetration in the country. There are also plans to train individuals in these fields. As a result, there will be a growth in the market for these products and businesses may seek to produce these products locally. Second, the development of the Panamá-Pacific Special Economic Area seeks to bring companies to a "technology park" that will specialize in technology, communications, and manufacturing among others. Many of the manufacturing companies will likely focus on products such as software and hardware. Growth in these sectors will be of interest in a couple of years, once the government electronic initiatives have been implemented, and once the Panamá-Pacific Special Economic Area becomes well established.