The Agricultural Marketing Institute (IMA) reported the suspension of the acquisition of electric pickup vehicles, following the issuance of Circular No. 31-2026-DC-DNFG by the Comptroller General of the Republic and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).
Suspension of Electric Vehicle Purchases.
According to the IMA, the acquisition process had been formalized under Law No. 295 of April 25, 2022, which promotes electric mobility in Panama and establishes that State institutions must progressively replace their fleets until reaching 40% electric units by 2030. The institution clarified that the previous stages of the process were carried out “in strict adherence to the technical and legal parameters required by public procurement regulations.”
Circular Orders Suspension of Vehicle Purchases.
The directive was issued on September 8, 2026 and is signed by the Comptroller General of the Republic, Anel Flores, and the Minister of Economy and Finance, Felipe Chapman. The document orders the total suspension of the purchase of new vehicles in the public sector, as part of the measures aimed at containing public spending and optimizing the use of state resources. The measure takes into account both the budgetary impact of acquiring the vehicles and the associated operating expenses, including fuel, spare parts, repairs, and insurance. In response to this decision, the IMA stated that it supports the National Government’s austerity policies and reiterated its commitment to fiscal discipline and transparency in its actions.
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