president, two vice presidents, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), 5 superior courts, 3
courts of appeal
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Guillermo ENDARA (since 20 December 1989, elected 7 May 1989);
First Vice President Guillermo FORD Boyd (since 24 December 1992); Second
Vice President (vacant)
Member of:
AG (associate), CG, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES,
LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jaime FORD
chancery:
2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 483-1407;
note:
the status of the consulates general and consulates has not yet been
determined
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Deane R. HINTON
embassy:
Avenida Balboa and Calle 38, Apartado 6959, Panama City 5
mailing address:
Box E, APO AA 34002
telephone:
(507) 27-1777
FAX:
(507) 27-1713
Flag:
divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white with a blue
five-pointed star in the center (hoist side) and plain red, the bottom
quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star
in the center

*Panama, Economy

Overview:
GDP expanded by roughly 8% in 1992, following growth of 9.3% in 1991. The
economy thus continues to recover from the crisis that preceded the ouster
of Manuel NORIEGA, even though the government's structural adjustment
program has been hampered by a lack of popular support and a passive
administration. Public investment has been limited as the administration has
kept the fiscal deficit below 3% of GDP. Unemployment and economic reform
are the two major issues the government must face in 1993-94.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $6 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
8% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,400 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.8% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $1.8 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital
expenditures of $200 million (1992 est.)
Exports:
$486