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2.6. Agriculture, livestock, hunting and forestry activity declined in 2014 because coffee production was hit by fungi and pests, and livestock was affected by weather conditions. (...)

2.14. In 2018, manufacturing was one of the least dynamic sectors of the economy, growing by 1.0%. In 2019, it contracted by 1.1% as industrial activity was restricted by the drought in the country, caused by the El Niño phenomenon. This reduced the level of rivers and their tributaries and led to a decrease in drinking water production, an important input in this activity's production process. (...)

2.15. In 2014, the value added of electricity, gas and water supply rose by 11.5% as solar (1.5 GWh) and wind (113.2 GWh) generation was added to the electricity mix. In 2015, economic growth stood at 10.3% due to increased hydroelectric (1,224.8 GWh) and wind (299.0 GWh) generation. Moreover, the drop in the price of petroleum products (bunker C: 44.6% and light diesel: 38.3%) and coal (17.8%) lowered production costs for thermal power stations.

2.16. In 2016, the sector contributed 10.1% growth to the economy. There were two key factors in the increase in value added of electricity supply: the decrease in oil prices, which reduced the marginal costs of electricity generation by 33.7%, and the rise in electricity production from renewable sources (67.2% of the total generated).

3.4. Accordingly, following the mandate established during the Buenos Aires Ministerial Conference in 2017, Panama has played a key role in the negotiations to curb fisheries subsidies by submitting a draft agreement for negotiation by the Members. The draft contains our position in line with that of the group of six Latin American countries (Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru and Uruguay). This is one of the documents proposed for negotiation as there is no base text for the agreement and the proposals are being discussed topic by topic. It is hoped that results will be achieved during the Twelfth Ministerial Conference.

4.19. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, six International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards were adopted as part of the standardization plan. In line with Panama's commitments as an ISO member country, national mirror committees for the environment and quality management auditing were set up. In 2016, the geographic information – methodology for feature cataloguing standard, required for the application of Panama's geospatial data, was prepared for the country's infrastructure.

4.20. The adoption of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards continued in 2017, and standards in the energy efficiency sector were approved as a counterpart to Law No. 69 of 12 October 2012 establishing the general guidelines of the national policy for the rational use of energy in the national territory. This involves creating initial policies aimed at rationalizing energy consumption throughout the country, promoting the use of efficient and less polluting equipment, and establishing a line of financing for energy efficiency projects.

4.21. In 2018, 10 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards were adopted, including road vehicle requirements – vehicle identification number (VIN) – content and structure, to which the relevant Panamanian authorities attach great importance; the environment; occupational health and safety management systems; guidelines for auditing management systems; and conformity assessment – general requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. (...)

4.22. In 2019, in accordance with the country's strategic plan, the Directorate-General of Standards and Industrial Technology developed the Technical Standard for Building, Construction Materials and Hydraulic Cement; the Technical Regulation on Conformity Assessment for the marketing and importation of cement, the purpose of which is to establish a conformity assessment procedure to inspect and verify the quality of hydraulic cement produced, imported, used and/or marketed in the Republic of Panama; and a regulation on the environment, health protection, water safety and quality, and the discharge of liquid effluents into marine and inland water bodies.

6.2. In this third periodic review, carried out under unique conditions, Panama, as the country with the best maritime and air connections in Latin America and the Caribbean, shows how it is endeavouring to build a sustainable future through its trade policies. (...)