Country Program Evaluation: Panama (1991-2003)

This report (RE-305) presents the evaluation conducted by the Office of Evaluation and Oversight of the Bank's program with Panama from 1991 to 2003. Its intent is to describe for the Bank's Directors the outcomes of the institution's activity in Panama and extract lessons that can help make future Bank actions more effective. Overall, this evaluation found the Bank's program with Panama in 1991-2003 to be consistent and coherent. Recommendations include that the Bank analyzes the administrative costs of its operations more thoroughly and, with that information, work with the country to find ways of lowering them; and that different kinds of policies and instruments need to be combined to further the key sectors of the Panamanian economy while also fostering the less dynamic sectors, for the ultimate benefit of the population at large.