Panama Now Hosts 192 Multinational Headquarters
Panama's SEM scheme for regional headquarters now counts 192 multinational companies. They have created about 10,000 jobs, roughly half held by Panamanians. The post Panama Now Hosts 192 Multinational Headquarters appeared first on The Rio Times .
Panama has become home to 192 multinational headquarters, according to the country's commerce ministry. The list, updated to May 2026, was announced on September 2, 2026. The SEM (Sedes de Empresas Multinacionales) scheme offers tax breaks and immigration perks to foreign companies setting up regional offices in Panama. However, the ministry did not disclose how many jobs or investments these firms have generated.
Foreign executives and their families can obtain residency through the program. The SEM regime, created under Law 41 of 2007 and reformed under Law 57 of 2018, provides a 5% income tax rate on earnings from foreign operations and offers immigration benefits like faster visas and residency. A newer regime called EMMA (Multinationals Offering Manufacturing Services) extends similar benefits to companies providing manufacturing-related services.
Both SEM and EMMA programs are tracked together on Panama's public list, which covers firms from 2007 to May 2026. The SEM regime has reportedly created around 10,000 jobs, with roughly half filled by Panamanians. Investment figures are not publicly available, but a March 2026 report estimated US$37.3 million in investment since 2025.
The SEM scheme is part of Panama's broader strategy to diversify its economy beyond the Panama Canal and become a knowledge hub in Latin America.
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